Matric Heroes of Villiersdorp Lift Fallen Classmate Together and Carry Her Home

Three years ago, South African teenager Veronica Venter started passing out randomly. She would just faint, fall and be out for a while. These episodes are still ongoing. She can hear everything going on around her when it happens, but she cannot respond. Just like a heart attack.

And when she recovers her legs are often too stiff to bend because of the lack of oxygen, according to her sister Chantelle.

Her unfortunate circumstances led to an incredibly inspirational incident taking place last Friday in Villiersdorp in the Western Cape, when Grade 12 classmates worked together to carry Veronica home.

The video was filmed by a fellow student Vanessa, and music and words were added by Chantelle, who has a production company.

Watch Villiersdorp Grade 12 classmates carry Veronica Venter home

After collapsing last Thursday 20 April 2017, the following day the School Government Body apparently reached a decision that Veronica may not attend school until they receive complete Medical Reports… “which the doctors are not allowed to give”.

Chantelle alleges that the headmistress “knows exactly what is wrong with Veronica, because we asked her for a letter stating that a pace maker is urgent and how many times she blacked out at School in the past 3 years. She refused,” claims Chantelle.

Chantelle told SAPeople that at first doctors diagnosed Veronica with Epilepsy… but after a Brain scan and EEG, they said it can’t be Epilepsy, because everything is normal.

After a 24-hour heart monitor, they changed the diagnosis to Syncope… and have advised that due to damage to the heart muscle and the nervous system she needs a pace-maker, says Chantelle.

“The latest pace-makers have fewer side effects and are as big as a R5 coin. Dr Chin from Groote Schuur Hospital has already done a few here in South Africa,” says Chantelle.

“In the meantime, because we live on the Hostel premises, and our account is in arrears, the Headmistress tries everything to make our lives hell,” she alleges.

According to Chantelle, she and her mom and sister have been “thrown” out of the main hostel and confined to a “small little room with a bathroom” at the back of the boys’ hostel.

Chantelle alleges that the headmistress has attempted to stop water running in their bathroom, has disconnected the Geyser… and about two months ago, locked the hostel gate where they usually enter (apparently to protect new furniture)… which led to the Grade 12 team having to walk even further to another gate to take Veronica home.

“We can’t go in or out, unless we climb over the gate like baboons. Should something happen with Veronica, and we need an ambulance (that sometimes happens), they wouldn’t be able to help her, because of the locked gate,” says Chantelle.

Despite the school’s apparent attitude, Veronica’s classmates persevered and carried her home.

Chantelle calls the students her “heroes of Villiersdorp” and says: “Thanx Matric’17 for always being there for my sister… you guys are awesome!!!”

Please note: SAPeople has been unable to contact the school for their side of the story as the name has not been given.