Exerpt from the Durban High School facebook page:
It is with the deepest sadness and sorrow that Durban High School announces the death of one of our learners, Madodandile Mavaleliso (formerly known as Soyiki), on Friday, 28 March 2013
His death has devastated the DHS community as Madoda was a young man dearly loved by his fellow learners, staff and parents. He arrived at School from a township in Port Elizabeth, a determined young man, high motivated, courteous and respectful.Madoda’s death is a huge loss to the School.Madoda took ill at the end of his rugby game on Friday 28 March 2013. He was treated at the field and transferred to Entabeni Hospital for further treatment. Unfortunately, at the hospital he deteriorated rapidly and despite extensive treatment and expert medical attention, attempts to keep him alive were unsuccessful. Preliminary investigations do not indicate any rugby injury. However, as the cause of his death is currently unknown, precautionary measures have been put in place to treat any direct contact with Madoda with prophylactic antibiotics.Based on medical advice received from Entabeni Hospital, it is with regret that the School has decided to withdraw the U14, U15 and U16 rugby teams from the Glenwood Festival and the 1st XV from the Maritzburg College 150th Festival.
@greenblooded also bare in mind that a lot of the 1st team were really close(P.E boys and boarders) and were devastated at glenwood long before his passing.
My innige meegevoel aan die ouers, familie en vriende.
@Slam: Definately medical advice from the doctors at Entabeni hospital according to the DHS Facebook site.
Fair enough well that explains the decision. Children’s well being takes priority.
The impression I have from some of the parents is that it was medical advice to withdraw all the boys. The symptoms take a few days to show but can be brought on by heavy exercise (aka rugby). Madoda was a BE boy so could have caught the infection from someone else and could have passed it on. Its in the interests of all our children for this decision to be made – as sad as it is.
This really is such a sad incident and my thoughts are with the lads family and those he played rugby and not to come across as heartless but I feel the 1st XV could have played in the MC 150 festival. They could have donned black armbands and played in his memory. I wonder if the senior boys were asked if they wanted to play this weekend? Sounds like purely a management decision
Big decision from DHS management – but I support it – no matter how tough.
So sad – thoughts with him, his fellow learners, teachers, parents, family, friends and all spectators. Not anything any of us want to go through.