11-year-old Fort Beaufort learner dies after collapsing at school hostel

11-year-old Fort Beaufort (Bhofolo) learner laid to rest after collapsing at school hostel

Fort Beaufort (Bhofolo) – An 11-year-old schoolgirl from Fort Beaufort (Bhofolo) was laid to rest on Sunday following her sudden death after allegedly being declared “not ill” at a hospital and returned to her school hostel.

The incident has sparked deep grief and anger within the community, with the family questioning how the situation was handled.

Learner reportedly fell ill at school

The child, Sivuyisiwe Soul, was a learner at a school in Adelaide. According to her family, Sivuyisiwe became ill while at school and was taken to a hospital in Adelaide earlier this week.

She was reportedly accompanied by her teachers, who expressed concern about her condition.

Family alleges hospital dismissed her illness

The family alleges that a medical practitioner assessed the child and stated that she was not ill, claiming she was pretending.

Despite teachers insisting that the learner was unwell, the family says she was not admitted or provided with treatment.

Instead, they allege that Sivuyisiwe was sent back to the school hostel.

These claims have not yet been independently verified.

Collapsed after returning to hostel

According to the family’s account, Sivuyisiwe collapsed shortly after arriving back at the hostel in Adelaide.

It is alleged that she fell moments after getting out of the vehicle that had transported her from the hospital.

She was declared dead shortly thereafter.

Community anger and unanswered questions

The child’s death has left her family and the Fort Beaufort (Bhofolo) community devastated.

Community members say the incident has raised serious concerns about how sick learners are treated and whether warning signs were ignored.

At the time of publication, no official statement had been issued by the hospital involved or by the Eastern Cape Department of Health.

It is also unclear whether a formal investigation has been opened.

Final farewell in Bhofolo

Sivuyisiwe was laid to rest in Fort Beaufort (Bhofolo) on Saturday, where mourners gathered to pay their final respects.

Many described her death as heartbreaking and called for accountability and clarity around the events leading up to her passing.