School suspends 18-year old for proposing to his 16-year old girlfriend

An 18-year old high school student Mduduzi Tlou, has been suspended by is school's management for proposing to his 16-year-old girlfriend.The couple who attend Tholulwazi Secondary School in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni, became the talk of the school last week, when the proposal happened an video of the sweet act went viral.

They were however suspended barely 2 hours after Tlou proposed with a R2000 ring.

Tlou, who spoke with Sowetan said they had been dating for eight months and decided on marrying her because she “changed” his life.

“I love her because when I met her, I was an alcoholic and she had changed all of that.
I paid R2000 for the ring. I bought it from Sterns. I had saved money for it,” Tlou said.

On the school's decision, he said:

I was surprised on September 18 just after lunch when they called us into the principal’s office, confiscated the ring and asked us to bring our parents the next day.”

The young man voiced his fears about his education as he revealed he had already missed four class tests. He wants to finish his studies, find a job and marry his sweetheart.

The girlfriend who also spoke with newsmen said:

“When they took my ring at school, I wanted to cry. He asked me to marry him and make him the happiest man on earth. We are not going to get married now. We will get married after we both finish school,” she said.

The couple’s parents said they were elated by the proposal, however, they were worried by the pupils’ suspension.

Tlou’s grandfather Jacob Xaba who also spoke with reporters said:

“Why is this relationship being turned into a crime? He must marry her. I will even give him my savings for lobola.”

The girl’s mother, Nomsa, said:

 “I am happy with the step these children are taking. Mduduzi is a good boy. I can’t think of a better son-in-law.”

Gauteng education spokesman Steve Mabona also had something to say about the incident. According to her:

“Surely such behaviour will not be tolerated in our schooling environment. A school is an institution of learning. The disciplinary process by the SGB . will pave a way forward.”

The pupils would be given a chance to write the tests missed, he said.