SOUTH AFRICA. An 18-year-old Year 12 student at Mawewe High School in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, has tragically died during a school camp. The student died after being bitten by a poisonous snake.
What is particularly tragic is that the young student was about to take her final exams. The Mpumalanga Department of Education confirmed the tragic incident and said the camp was organized to prepare students for the upcoming final exams. These camps, held across the country, are designed to ensure that students are not distracted while learning.
Speaker expresses deep regret
Gerald Sambo, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Department of Education, expressed deep sorrow at the loss of the young student. According to media reports, the 18-year-old tragically succumbed to the effects of a snake bite while camping on the night of Monday, November 27, 2023.
Visit of the Minister of Education announced
The Minister of Education, Bonakele Majuba, welcomed the news and expressed his sincere condolences to the family, school and teachers. He plans to visit the family of the deceased student to express his condolences in person.
Dangers of snake bites
Although snake bites are generally rare, about 11% of the 173 snake species in Southern Africa are considered fatal, according to the African Snakebite Institute. The most dangerous include mambas, cobras, rinknecks, vipers, gabuon vipers, boomslang and gall snakes. The institute warns, in particular, of the Mozambique spitting cobra and the pit viper as causes of serious bite injuries. South African health authorities and organizations such as the African Snakebite Institute are actively committed to educating the public about the risks of snake bites, optimizing medical care and adopting preventative measures promotes the reduction of the negative effects of snake bites.