Rest in peace, Louise
794 Louise De Waal's family release white pigeons after the memorial service is held at her school, Haerskool Die Burger in Florida. 191011. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu 794 Louise De Waal's family release white pigeons after the memorial service is held at her school, Haerskool Die Burger in Florida. 191011. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu
Shireen de Waal held the white dove tightly. She gave the bird a long kiss and closed her eyes in prayer before releasing the bird – a symbol of peace, hope and eternity – in a final farewell to her daughter Louise.
On Wednesday, hundreds of pupils and parents gathered on Hoërskool Die Burger’s sports field to celebrate and remember the life of Louise. Most people wore black with pink – her favourite colour.
Louise was abducted at gunpoint while walking to school last week. Her charred body was later discovered on a farm near Magaliesburg, burnt beyond recognition. Relatives identified her body from a belly ring and two earrings found at the scene.
She’d recently been appointd a prefect and would have celebrated her 17th birthday last Sunday.
Johannes Steyn, the man accused of murdering and raping Louise, and who police believe is the Sunday Serial Rapist, is facing 13 charges of rape, 10 charges of kidnapping, six of sexual assault and one murder charge.
Tributes from friends and teachers described Louise as a warm-hearted, fun-loving, intelligent girl who lit up any room she walked into.
“I will miss your warm smile that would make everyone want to smile back,” one tribute read.
“Thank you for all the good memorable time we spent together, whether we were playing in the park, sleeping over by one another or just working on our assignment together, I will never forget you ‘Husky Eyes’,” another read.
Deputy principal Banie Lotter said Louise’s death was one of the darkest and most sombre moments of the school’s 109-year history.
Principal BP Smit presented Shireen de Waal with a prefect’s blazer and two certificates – both academic awards for achieving more than 80 percent in life orientation and consumer studies. Louise would have received these at the school’s prizegiving ceremony next week.
She smiled warmly at the endearing tributes made to her daughter, but broke down during a video and slideshow presentation showing pictures of Louise as a young girl. She clutched the blazer and certificates tightly against her chest as a minute of silence was observed. - The Star