Cosas supports engaged couple
Young sweethearts’ suspension lifted
The Congress of South African Students (Cosas) is rallying behind two Ekurhuleni high school sweethearts who were suspended following a marriage proposal on the school grounds.
Cosas president John Macheke said although the organisation preferred students to finish school before marrying, suspending the Tholulwazi Secondary School pupils infringed on their rights.
“No school has a right to suspend learners or call off their engagement. It is the student’s right and a personal matter. It does not affect learning in any way. We will actually send people to make sure that the students’ rights are protected,” said Macheke.
Sowetan understands the suspensions were lifted during a hearing at the school last week
Mduduzi Tlou, 18, proposed to his 16-year-old girlfriend on September 18. The engagement was recorded and went viral on social media.
The girl cannot be named because she is underage.
The girl’s mother confirmed that although they were instructed not to speak to the media, the children were told to call off their engagement.
“They told them to stop marrying until they finish school. The engagement ring is still at the school because we are waiting for the final outcome from the department of education. They went back to school on Thursday, they were happy and so was I,” she said.
Tlou’s grandmother, Elizabeth Xaba, said the couple wrote their second cycle test on Friday and confirmed they were still together.
Macheke said: “This is degrading, inhumane and against our constitution. It is totally wrong.”
National Association of School Governing Bodies general secretary Matakanye Matakanya said the school had the right to suspend the pupils and call off their engagement because it took place on the school’s premises.
“If the proposal was done outside, then the school would not intervene. The couple must do it at their homes. School is a place of teaching and learning only. If this incident is allowed, then we will be sending the wrong message to all other students,” he said.
Home Affairs spokesman Thabo Mokgola said legally, the pupils could get married.
“If they were both 18, they would not need consent. The girl needs parental consent. In terms of the Marriage Act, the girl would need ministerial consent if she was 12 and younger and the boy 15 and younger,” said Mokgola.