Teachers have been left “traumatised” at Mzamomtsha Primary School, in Driftsands, after a group of learners collapsed to the ground in what is believed to be “spirits possessed”.
The incident happened on Monday 22 August. It is unclear what triggered the collapse, but according to sources at the school, one grade seven learner fell to the ground during the assembly.
A few minutes later, more learners began to collapse, causing panic and anxiety among teachers and their peers.
A number of learners fell to the ground while others jumped on their desks.
It is believed they were possessed by “spirits”, something which led to the school being dismissed early.
Weeping uncontrollably, teachers called on parents to come to the school to assist in dealing with the matter.
When City Vision arrived at the school, paramedics were on standby while traditional healers were burning impepho (incense) and assisting some of the learners on the school’s parking lot.
Curious onlookers were also outside the school, with everyone trying to get a glimpse of what was happening.
One of the teachers told City Vision that the drama began when a grade seven learner fell down during the assembly.
“On Mondays we host our assembles and it is during this time that a learner started experiencing this. The learner was taken away by teachers but in no time she was fine again,” said a teacher. “The learner was sent back to her class, but hardly 15 minutes this thing started again. A second learner, also a girl started doing the same thing, complaining of burning inside and they were jumping on desks”.
According to the teachers, the incident has left them “traumatised” as this was the first time the school experienced something like this.
Director of Communication in the Western Cape Education Department Bronagh Hammond said a group of learners allegedly reacted to a spiritual/ancestral calling. She said this led to several learners collapsing or reporting that they were feeling ill.
“The parents of all learners affected were called and notified to collect their children. As a result of the event, other parents came to the school to collect their children,” she said.
The school was dismissed and reopened the next day (Tuesday 23 August).
The WCED district team arranged for counselling support to the school, said Hammond.She added that the necessary support will be provided to staff and learners.
Hammond said they have, as a result of other similar events in the Western Cape previously, engaged with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport for a broader discussion on this and the management of it in their schools.