Sad DHS Death
Durban High School has announced the sudden, sad death of one of its promising pupils, Madodandile Mavaleliso, a popular boy generally known as Madoda.
On Thursday, 28 March 2013, Madoda played for DHS at the Bizsport Festival which was being held at Glenwood High Schools this year.
After his match he felt ill and was treated at the field. He was then taken to nearby Entabeni Hospital. Unfortunately, at the hospital he deteriorated rapidly and despite extensive treatment and expert medical attention, attempts to keep him alive were unsuccessful and he died on Thursday.
The report on the DHS website says: "Preliminary investigations do not indicate any rugby injury. However, as the cause of his death is currently unknown, precautionary measures have been put in place to treat any direct contact with Madoda with prophylactic antibiotics." Anybody who had contact with him from Monday 25 March on and has not been contacted was asked to contact the hospital: Tina Simpson on 084-654 3022
Out of respect, DHS has withdrawn its 1st XV from the Maritzburg College 150th Festival, which is due to start on Saturday, and its Under-16, Under-15 and Under-14 teams from the Bizsport Festival which is due to have its second round of matches on Saturday.
In a tribute to Madoda, Marc Adams, DHS's Under-14 coach, writes: I met Madoda in the Ezee Fana Academy in September 2011 when he was a Grade 7 boy playing Sevens rugby on a rock hard, dusty townships field in Port Elizabeth. [Ezee Fana is the nickname of Wankie Dlula who started the Sports Development Academy in Kwazakhele Township.] He was obviously an extremely gifted rugby player but it was evident immediately that he had 'something special'. As I got to know him over the next two years at DHS that 'something special' became clearer and clearer and people fortunate enough to have known him would have seen the same thing.
"That desire, commitment, never-say-die attitude and joyful disposition that he had on the rugby field, transferred into his life. He took the opportunity he was given with two hands and committed 110% to everything he did in life.
"Madoda, may you Rest in Peace. You will continue to be an inspiration to me and many boys at DHS. I will never forget the brightest smile I have ever seen.”
