"Unimaginable Heartache": Dowerglen High School 2025 Matriculant Dies After His Mom
- Mike, a 2025 Dowerglen High School matriculant, passed away while returning home from work, just as his life was gaining momentum
- His death came only 49 days after the family buried his mother, who had lost her battle with cancer
- His father Dilip, and sister Gabriella are now left to face an unimaginable double loss, with a BackaBuddy campaign launched to support them
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A young Gauteng man who had just completed his basic plumbing certificate was killed on his way home from work, only weeks after his family buried his mother. Mike, a 2025 matriculant from Dowerglen High School in Edenvale, had been quietly building his future.
Source: Facebook
He took on holiday jobs, woke up early, and recently earned his plumbing qualification, the kind of milestone that signals a young person is finding their footing. That day, he was heading home. He never made it.
Just 49 days before Mike died, the same family had said goodbye to his mother after her cancer battle. His father, Dilip, and sister, Gabriella, are now left to carry grief that has arrived twice in under two months.
Morais described them as "a good family whose dreams have been shattered by events none of us can control," and called on the community to stand alongside them. A BackaBuddy fundraising campaign has since been set up to help Dilip and Gabriella through this period. Family friend Nuno Morais shared the devastating news on Facebook on 5 September 2026, writing:
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"Mike was working his way up the hard, honest way. He was coming home from work that day, stepping into the chapter where his time to shine had truly arrived."
Read the post below:
SA rallies to help struggling family
What makes the loss particularly painful is the timing. Those who knew Mike or came across the post flooded the comments with condolences:
Lynne Smith said:
"Sincere condolences to family and friends. This is very sad. 😔🙏🏻💔"
Steven Jooste wrote:
"I am so sorry for your loss. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends."
Rushel Gouvias shared:
"My heart, this is just too sad. I'm in tears here. 😭 May your soul rest in peace, son. Condolences to his dad and sister. 🙏"
Cher Kruger said:
"This is so very sad. Condolences to the family ❤️"
Michelle Jameson Windvogel wrote:
"Dear Lord, please shine your light on this family through this unimaginable heartache 💔 🙏"
Sbongile Ndlovu added:
"💔 So heartbreaking 😭 condolences to the family 😭😭"
Marlene Elizabeth Hooper simply said:
"Condolences - so young RIP."
Other Briefly News stories about tragedies
- A primary school learner tragically lost their life after coming into contact with a live electrical wire at Mokutupi Primary School in Limpopo.
- The family of Jessica Rabe expressed deep heartbreak and frustration following her tragic murder, which has left numerous unanswered questions.
- A devastating tragedy unfolded in Gqeberha after a four-month-old infant passed away while under the care of a local preschool.
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Source: Briefly News
