A SOMBRE mood hung over Whittlesea yesterday as Walter Sisulu University (WSU) students gathered for the memorial service of second year student, Longamo Gumede, who was stabbed to death on Friday.
Hundreds of students gathered in the University’s Great Hall to remember the life of Gumede, 21, a Bachelor of Education student.
His friend, Unathi Femele, said they had been robbed of a great leader. “We always found him studying. He was never without his books and we feel sad to have lost him this way.”
Ward 27 councillor Phaphama Madubedube said the students gave him a memorandum detailing their grievances. “Our communities are crying for help because ubuntu is rubbing off our skins. Residents must note that it is a privilege to have a university here.
”The life of a young person who was going to be an academic plays a crucial role in our communities. We failed as politicians to inform our communities about the benefits of having a university here. It is out of order for a university student to be killed by high school drop outs and drug users.”
He called on to students to be vigilant. “Be responsible for yourself. We are all here to study but outside campus we live in a community that has social ills.”
Speaking on behalf of WSU management, Dr Wendy Mashologu said Longamo was going to be a valuable maths teacher in a time when “we have a shortage of maths teachers.”
