In 2013 Madodandile Mavaleliso (Soyiki), in Grade 9 at Durban High School, tragically passed away while participating in a Rugby Tournament. The trauma his passing caused was immense, the devastation felt by the entire DHS community, the Blackmore House boys and Rugby boys and staff in particular. The cause of his death is still unknown.
This year’s Matrics, the Class of 2016, were Madoda’s classmates and they have keenly felt the lack of closure with his untimely passing. Last night a tribute was held and a plaque put up to honour Madado and to give the Blackmore boys and staff the opportunity to say their final farewells.
Head Prefect of School and Blackmore and friend of Madoda, Mvumuleni Mathenjwa, spoke at the ceremony:
“The one thing that separates this School from any other school is the brotherhood among the boys. When I stepped foot in the School as a Grade 7 boy, I knew straight away that this was the school for me. I just felt welcomed into the brotherhood.
Losing one of our brothers was a huge loss to the DHS and the Blackmore community.
I still remember my first interaction with Madoda. It was the 2nd day of Grade 8 and we were on Top Field. I went up to him and told him that I was a boy from Mtubatuba. He didn’t know where that was, but he just smiled and said that he was a rugby player from PE. I was amazed at how he called himself a rugby player; it was with great confidence. I told him that my rugby wasn’t too great, because I had only started playing the game the previous year. His smile changed to a serious face straight away and he said that I needed to believe that I was a great player in order to become great. These words struck me by surprise coming from someone my age.
From that day onwards, we became friends and he woke me up every single day for early morning training. On some days I would act sick because I was tired and he would go train by himself. He really pushed me in everything. Madoda was a hard worker. He was a soldier. He had goals for himself and knew that hard work and only hard work could get him where he wanted to be.
May your soul rest in peace brother. The boys of DHS all miss you Madodandile Mavaleliso Soyiki. We will forever hold you in our hearts.”
Mvumuleni Mathenjwa
Head Prefect