Slain teenager Anene Booysen’s former teachers are using the tragic story of her death to warn other children.
|||Bredasdorp - Slain teenager Anene Booysen was a soft-spoken, fragile pupil, say teachers at the De Heide Primary School in Bredasdorp which she attended.
Booysen was brutally gang-raped and murdered on February 2.
De Heide Primary principal Jasmine Adams said: “She was a quiet child… always in the background.
“According to her school records, she also went to school in Arniston.”
Adams said Anene and her brother Ryno had moved from place to place. “There was no stability really.”
In 2004, Anene attended Melkbosch Primary, a farm school, and in 2008 she attended Wagenhuiskrantz Primary school in Arniston. She enrolled here in April of 2009.”
Anene dropped out of school in Grade 7 at the age of 15.
Lucy Bell, who taught her English, arts and culture, and life orientation, said the teenager was soft-spoken.
“She wouldn’t giggle in class. Anene was also very protective of other girls.”
Bell said pupils were very upset when they heard about her death.
“We talk about this case every day. A poem has also been dedicated to Anene’s memory and every pupil was tasked to write in their journal how this has affected them.”
She said that two years ago the school also lost a Grade 6 pupil who was raped and murdered.
“Something positive must come out of this tragedy. We tell the pupils that they should be home before dark, to be the stronger person in a group, to listen to their inner voice and to be aware of their surroundings.”
Bell said Anene was always so childlike and fragile “like porcelain”.
“It’s unthinkable what happened to her, she never stood a chance.”
Calla Dyers, Anene’s former class teacher, said: “She never gave any problems, was well disciplined and never back-chatted
. She had a lovely personality and she worked hard.”
Letisha Snyders, 12, a former neighbour and friend of Anene’s, said she was like an older sister.
“Whenever children wanted to hit me, she would be so over-protective.”
Two men arrested following the rape and murder of Anene are expected to apply for bail on Tuesday.
Jonathan Davids, 22, and Johannes Kana, 21, will appear in the Bredasdorp Magistrate's Court.
natasha.bezuidenhout@inl.co.za
Cape Argus