Three star-struck pupils of an Eastern Cape school have been charged with bringing their school into disrepute after they abandoned their history class and rushed out of the school gates to take pictures with multi-award winning afro-pop sensation Zahara.
Zahara, real name Bulelwa Mkutukana, was spotted at Lumko High School in East London on Wednesday when she dropped off her niece, who attends the Amalinda-based school.
The pupils – Bulelani Mrubata, 20, Asemahle Yekelo, 18, and Nizole Tomsana, 18 – said they joined more than 500 other pupils who had also left their classrooms and swamped Zahara for selfies.
But only the three were charged for bringing the school into disrepute.
They were sent home by the headmaster, MW Links, pending their disciplinary hearing.
Eastern Cape education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said the action was launched only against the “rebellious” trio because they had allegedly led the mass class walkout.
“They were the first to run to Zahara, and then others followed them. We decided to charge them because we want to set an example to other pupils that the behaviour was not acceptable.
“Next time it might be US rapper Jay-Z stopping at the school gates but that doesn’t mean school is over,” he said.
Mtima said the steps taken by the principal were necessary to prepare pupils to handle themselves in similar situations in future.
Mtima said it was normal practice to send pupils home so they could return the next day with parents.
Yekelo said the pupils lost their minds when Zahara climbed out of the red Range Rover.
“She reported her niece, who was late, to the security at the gates because it was already 8.25am at the time. She sent apologies to the principal as per the tradition of the school regarding latecomers.”
Tomsana said the history class heard a big commotion and thought there was a big fight outside the school premises and went out.
“There was no teacher with us at the time. When we went out we couldn’t believe our eyes. Zahara was taking selfies with pupils and we decided to join in,” said Tomsana.
The Dispatch could not reach Zahara on her phone. —
malibongwed@dispatch.co.za
Three pupils face disciplinary hearing after rushing to take selfies with Zahara at school
Zahara, real name Bulelwa Mkutukana, was spotted at Lumko High School in East London on Wednesday when she dropped off her niece, who attends the Amalinda-based school.
The pupils – Bulelani Mrubata, 20, Asemahle Yekelo, 18, and Nizole Tomsana, 18 – said they joined more than 500 other pupils who had also left their classrooms and swamped Zahara for selfies.
But only the three were charged for bringing the school into disrepute.
They were sent home by the headmaster, MW Links, pending their disciplinary hearing.
Eastern Cape education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said the action was launched only against the “rebellious” trio because they had allegedly led the mass class walkout.
“They were the first to run to Zahara, and then others followed them. We decided to charge them because we want to set an example to other pupils that the behaviour was not acceptable.
“Next time it might be US rapper Jay-Z stopping at the school gates but that doesn’t mean school is over,” he said.
Mtima said the steps taken by the principal were necessary to prepare pupils to handle themselves in similar situations in future.
Mtima said it was normal practice to send pupils home so they could return the next day with parents.
Yekelo said the pupils lost their minds when Zahara climbed out of the red Range Rover.
“She reported her niece, who was late, to the security at the gates because it was already 8.25am at the time. She sent apologies to the principal as per the tradition of the school regarding latecomers.”
Tomsana said the history class heard a big commotion and thought there was a big fight outside the school premises and went out.
“There was no teacher with us at the time. When we went out we couldn’t believe our eyes. Zahara was taking selfies with pupils and we decided to join in,” said Tomsana.
The Dispatch could not reach Zahara on her phone. —
malibongwed@dispatch.co.za
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