from: David Matiwane
to: Levi Sekgapane
date: 6 November 2016 at 13:03
subject: Re: news from Levi

Dude I am so glad you r safe. I’ve been worried bro.

Songezo got expelled. Mdu has been suspended. They picked a fight with me yesterday.

Songezo was like “Why are you calling me a coward?”

I was like, “You fear gays.”

He shouted, “I don’t fear them, stupid. I hate them.”

“Looks like the same thing to me,” I said, and everyone around us laughed.

Songezo swore, and started threatening me, but I could see he had no cards in his hand to play; we beat him. He’s left the school. I think he’s also going to get some reprimand, like the school is sending him to, I don’t know, some kind of community service I think. Hopefully he falls off a cliff. What a tool. He’s a moron. You don’t have to be scared of him, dude.

If he ever threatens u again I’ll knock his kop off. OK?

Something so cool happened this morning. The principal made a speech in assembly. I wish you’d been there.

He was like, “It has come to the attention of the staff that there have been instances of violent bullying against students because of their sexual orientation or preferences. May we as a school remind you that discrimination and victimisation of people because of their race, religion, or sexual orientation is against the Constitution and will not be tolerated.”

A lot of people clapped. Mrs Tshinga stood up and clapped extra loud. A couple of students were angry and left the assembly, but they were only a few, bru.

This incident of you being beaten up and driven away … it’s affected the school mood, dude. Everyone is asking me where you are and if you’re safe and how they can help, and when you’re coming back, saying you can go live in their spare room, they’ll stand up for you, it’s been … dude, you’ve changed everything.

Things are going to be different now. Hey, I wanted to tell you. Come back. Serious.

You’ll be OK. We’ll be OK. School will be OK.

I’m here for you. You can rely on me dude.

DAVID

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Tell us: Is your school a safe space for LGBTI people? Why or why not?