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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Enock was humble and respectful,” Enock Mpianzi’s brother Shadrach Mpianzi said at a memorial service for the boy which was held at Parktown Boys High School on Tuesday 28 January. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The school hall was filled with boys from the school as well as some parents of pupils. Friends from Enock’s former primary school, Brixton Primary, also came to the service to pay their respects and share fond memories of Enock. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-547727\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/chanel-enochmemorial-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" /> Enock Mpianzi's brothers at the memorial service. (Photo: Chanel Retief)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I was Enock’s best buddy. Enock’s friend,” said </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mpho Molelekeng. “</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We shared good memories together. He was a kind boy. He used to joke. He was always friendly. He never fought with anyone.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enock went missing on Wednesday 15 January during a water activity at Parktown Boys High School’s annual Grade 8 camp at the Nyati Bush and River Breakaway in Brits, North West. The activity required the learners to build a makeshift raft using objects around them like wooden poles and shoelaces. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-547723\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/chanel-enochmemorial-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" /> Parktown Boys High School in Johannesburg gathered on Tuesday 28 January 2020 in the school hall to pay tribute to Enock Mpianzi. (Photo: Chanel Retief)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The learners sailed the raft across the Crocodile River where it capsized. Witnesses confirmed that they saw Enock struggle in the water.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Thursday 16 January, parents, authorities and the MEC for Gauteng Education, Panyaza Lesufi, were informed that the boy had disappeared. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Friday morning, Lesufi announced that Enock’s body had been found. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-547720 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/chanel-enochmemorial-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" /> Enock Mpianzi's mother Anto Mpianzi, right, and a relative could not contain their grief. (Photo: Chanel Retief)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cries of Enock’s mother, Anto Mpianzi, echoed through the school hall. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Enock, Enock, where are you? Why me? Oh God. My baby,” she could be heard crying. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enock’s parents sat on stage with Lesufi and members of staff from Parktown Boys and Brixton Primary. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brixton Primary teacher Mapule Modipa-Xaba shared what an honour it had been when Enock was accepted for admittance to Parktown Boys High.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-547725\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/chanel-enochmemorial-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" /> Mpho Molelekeng and other Brixton Primary school classmates came to the service to pay their respects as well as share the fond memories they have of Enock Mpianzi. (Photo by Chanel Retief)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We had hopes that our little school would make the news because of Enock’s achievements,” Modipa-Xaba said. “It never crossed our mind that this would happen. Enock went to a camp pulling his bag and then he came back in a body bag.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former classmates of Enock’s sang in front of the gathering, bidding farewell to the pupil they believed would have made a big difference in South Africa. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I asked Enock what he wants to be when he grows up and he said a lawyer,” Mpho </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Molelekeng </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">said. “I asked why and he said because he wanted to bring justice to this country.” </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout the ceremony, it was noted that Enock was an extremely dedicated Christian who was also very intelligent. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“My problem with him was that he never studied but he was intelligent,” said Shadrach </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mpianzi</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. “He proved me wrong most of the time. Every time I told him he was going to fail if he didn’t study he just looked at me with that face you know.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“He did not have to try hard. He just did him. And he proved me wrong most of the time and I am happy that he proved me wrong in that department.” </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enock’s other brother, Steve Mpianzi, recalled that Enock was a gregarious person who was compassionate and forgiving.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“My brother was a very grateful and social person,” Steve said. “He had many friends. He liked being surrounded by positivity. That is the reason why he’s smiled in most of his pictures. My brother would never hold a grudge against me. We were like Tom and Jerry.” </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lesufi also addressed the gathering. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It’s becoming normal to issue death certificates rather than report cards,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Enock is no more. We hope to believe that his death has spoken for many kids out there.” </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>DM</b></span>",
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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Enock was humble and respectful,” Enock Mpianzi’s brother Shadrach Mpianzi said at a memorial service for the boy which was held at Parktown Boys High School on Tuesday 28 January. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The school hall was filled with boys from the school as well as some parents of pupils. Friends from Enock’s former primary school, Brixton Primary, also came to the service to pay their respects and share fond memories of Enock. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_547727\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1500\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-547727\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/chanel-enochmemorial-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" /> Enock Mpianzi's brothers at the memorial service. (Photo: Chanel Retief)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I was Enock’s best buddy. Enock’s friend,” said </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mpho Molelekeng. “</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We shared good memories together. He was a kind boy. He used to joke. He was always friendly. He never fought with anyone.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enock went missing on Wednesday 15 January during a water activity at Parktown Boys High School’s annual Grade 8 camp at the Nyati Bush and River Breakaway in Brits, North West. The activity required the learners to build a makeshift raft using objects around them like wooden poles and shoelaces. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_547723\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2000\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-547723\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/chanel-enochmemorial-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" /> Parktown Boys High School in Johannesburg gathered on Tuesday 28 January 2020 in the school hall to pay tribute to Enock Mpianzi. (Photo: Chanel Retief)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The learners sailed the raft across the Crocodile River where it capsized. Witnesses confirmed that they saw Enock struggle in the water.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Thursday 16 January, parents, authorities and the MEC for Gauteng Education, Panyaza Lesufi, were informed that the boy had disappeared. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Friday morning, Lesufi announced that Enock’s body had been found. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_547720\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2000\"]<img class=\"wp-image-547720 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/chanel-enochmemorial-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" /> Enock Mpianzi's mother Anto Mpianzi, right, and a relative could not contain their grief. (Photo: Chanel Retief)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cries of Enock’s mother, Anto Mpianzi, echoed through the school hall. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Enock, Enock, where are you? Why me? Oh God. My baby,” she could be heard crying. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enock’s parents sat on stage with Lesufi and members of staff from Parktown Boys and Brixton Primary. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brixton Primary teacher Mapule Modipa-Xaba shared what an honour it had been when Enock was accepted for admittance to Parktown Boys High.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_547725\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2000\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-547725\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/chanel-enochmemorial-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" /> Mpho Molelekeng and other Brixton Primary school classmates came to the service to pay their respects as well as share the fond memories they have of Enock Mpianzi. (Photo by Chanel Retief)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We had hopes that our little school would make the news because of Enock’s achievements,” Modipa-Xaba said. “It never crossed our mind that this would happen. Enock went to a camp pulling his bag and then he came back in a body bag.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former classmates of Enock’s sang in front of the gathering, bidding farewell to the pupil they believed would have made a big difference in South Africa. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I asked Enock what he wants to be when he grows up and he said a lawyer,” Mpho </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Molelekeng </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">said. “I asked why and he said because he wanted to bring justice to this country.” </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout the ceremony, it was noted that Enock was an extremely dedicated Christian who was also very intelligent. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“My problem with him was that he never studied but he was intelligent,” said Shadrach </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mpianzi</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. “He proved me wrong most of the time. Every time I told him he was going to fail if he didn’t study he just looked at me with that face you know.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“He did not have to try hard. He just did him. And he proved me wrong most of the time and I am happy that he proved me wrong in that department.” </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enock’s other brother, Steve Mpianzi, recalled that Enock was a gregarious person who was compassionate and forgiving.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“My brother was a very grateful and social person,” Steve said. “He had many friends. He liked being surrounded by positivity. That is the reason why he’s smiled in most of his pictures. My brother would never hold a grudge against me. We were like Tom and Jerry.” </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lesufi also addressed the gathering. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It’s becoming normal to issue death certificates rather than report cards,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Enock is no more. We hope to believe that his death has spoken for many kids out there.” </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>DM</b></span>",
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Enock Mpianzi's brothers at the memorial service. (Photo: Chanel Retief)
Parktown Boys High School in Johannesburg gathered on Tuesday 28 January 2020 in the school hall to pay tribute to Enock Mpianzi. (Photo: Chanel Retief)
Enock Mpianzi's mother Anto Mpianzi, right, and a relative could not contain their grief. (Photo: Chanel Retief)
Mpho Molelekeng and other Brixton Primary school classmates came to the service to pay their respects as well as share the fond memories they have of Enock Mpianzi. (Photo by Chanel Retief)