A KwaZulu-Natal grade 3 pupil who was last month hailed a hero after rescuing his schoolmate from a burning taxi has been rewarded with a scholarship to the prestigious St Nicholas Diocesan School in Pietermaritzburg.
Likhanyile Duma, 8, of Ashdown township was one of several schoolchildren — including three others from Springhaven Primary — asked to disembark from their taxi after the engine caught alight.
But Duma realised a grade 1 pupil from his school, Aphelele Zondi, 6, was fast asleep on the back seat and rushed back to rescue him. They both escaped unscathed.
News of his heroic efforts went public, earning him much praise, including from Sean Topper, the principal of St Nicholas Diocesan, who penned a letter to the youngster and his parents, congratulating Likhanyile.
This set in motion a series of meetings which resulted in the grade 3 pupil starting at his new school on Tuesday.
His mother, Noxolo, who is a netball coach, said they were elated.
“We are happy because this is an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Duma.
Recounting the incident which catapulted Likhanyile into prominence, Duma said she was pleased her son and his peers were unscathed.
“He told me his move was inspired by what he gets taught at his church. He even told me that his friends could not have been hurt while in his presence. I was happy,” said Duma.
Topper said after reading about the boy's heroic efforts he wasted no time in writing to the youngster.
“We were just astounded by the bravery that was displayed by the young man. These are the type of citizens that we actually need in this country,” said Topper.
After receiving the letter Duma expressed her wish for her child to be enrolled at the prestigious school.
Topper facilitated a meeting with the family and then an assessment test, which led to Duma bagging a full scholarship with the proviso that he adheres to the school's code of conduct and ethos.
During the meeting Topper was impressed by Duma’s religious convictions.
“When I asked him why would he risk his life by saving someone in a burning taxi, he replied, ‘I go to church every Sunday, I know God would protect me,’” said Topper.
He said the response also tied in with the school motto — God Leads. “This made a connection and that is why I thought let’s just give him a chance,” said Topper.
The principal said enrolling the boy at the school was not a marketing ploy, but rather a demonstration of the school's ethos.
Duma said while she was grateful for her son's heroic effort, she had cautioned him about getting advice from adults before attempting to go into dangerous situations.
Springhaven Primary principal Ronnie Moodley wished the youngster well as he starts a new chapter at his new school.
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