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GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - The death of two Nelson Mandela University students in Victoria Bay has left two families and the university community in deep mourning.
The incident is one of a series of tragic losses that have shaken this institution in recent weeks.
George Herald spoke to Samkelisiwe Nxumalo, the older sister of Aphile Jozana (20), one of two students who were involved in a drowning incident that took place at Victoria Bay on Friday 31 October. According to the available reports, the two students had disappeared into the water. Both were later retrieved by emergency personnel, however, the paramedics declared one of them, Lihle Shenxane, dead on the scene.
Aphile Jozana Photo: Aphile Jozana's Facebook page
Jozana was ambulanced to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Her condition was serious at the time. She died on Sunday 2 November.
Nxumalo expressed the family's profound grief and said only one member could travel to George to assist the police with identification. Her father and other family members were unable to make the long journey owing to the travel costs.
Nxumalo said the family are left with many unanswered questions and are unsure of the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. She said though Jozana was not a strong swimmer, she was able to.
Jozana was in her first year at university and the first member of her family to commence tertiary education.
She would have celebrated her next birthday on 17 November and was about to complete her final exam before returning home for a long, well-deserved holiday.
"Our family are very saddened by the passing of our dearest daughter. We had high hopes that she would bring change in our family. May she continue being an angel like she was when she was still alive. We have great memories of her. God bless her soul," Nxumalo said.
On Wednesday, 5 November, Nelson Mandela University held a candlelight ceremony on campus in honour of both students. Under the warmth of the morning sun, fellow students bid their friends a tender farewell, their heartfelt songs drifting through the air, carrying solace to the grief-stricken families and wrapping them in a gentle embrace of unity and compassion.
VIDEO: Watch snippets from the ceremony here:
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