Shocking Scandal: St Stithians Under Fire After 'Murderer Hailed as Hero' Amid Cameron Waldeck-Cooks' Death Outcry!
The tragic deaths of St Stithians student Cameron Waldeck-Cooks and Ethan Coetzee, initially deemed a murder-suicide, have sparked fierce debate. Anti-GBV activists have condemned the incident as femicide, while journalist Alan Ford criticizes St Stithians for its alleged mishandling and cover-up. The tragedy highlights critical issues surrounding gender-based violence, institutional accountability, and the remembrance of victims.
The tragic deaths of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, a St Stithians student, and her boyfriend, Ethan Coetzee, have ignited widespread discussions around gender-based violence (GBV) and institutional accountability. The bodies of the 17-year-old and 19-year-old were discovered at a Sabie game lodge on Monday, August 3rd, following an alleged murder-suicide. Initially investigated as an inquest with no foul play suspected, post-mortem findings later revealed that Cameron died from strangulation/suffocation, prompting police to open a murder case. Ethan’s death is believed to be a suicide.
Anti-GBV activists Women For Change swiftly spoke out about Cameron’s death, which occurred during Women’s Month, expressing horror at what they termed “yet another devastating femicide case.” In a social media post, the organization conveyed its heartbreak to Cameron’s family, friends, and classmates, asking, “When is enough, enough?” Sabrina Walter, founder of Women For Change, penned an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, naming Cameron as one of several women tragically murdered during Women’s Month. Walter urged for concrete action to replace unfulfilled promises, stating that Women’s Day should not merely be a day of symbolic gestures while women continue to mourn their loved ones.
Adding to the public outcry, broadcast journalist Alan Ford critically challenged St Stithians, the school attended by both teens, for its handling of the tragedy. Ford accused the school of covering up the actions of Ethan Coetzee, a former matriculant, and prioritizing his reputation as a “star rugby player” over the life and memory of Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, who was in Grade 11. He claimed that the school had not adequately acknowledged the concerns raised by Cameron’s family, particularly her brother. Ford’s critique extended to a broader conversation about boys’ schools, masculinity, privilege, and accountability, suggesting that institutional cultures in prestigious schools can sometimes minimize or protect unacceptable behavior.
Ford emphasized that when tragedy strikes, a school’s reputation and sporting achievements should never overshadow accountability or the life of a young woman. He urged St Stithians to listen to Cameron’s family, reconsider its public messaging, and ensure its narrative reflected the seriousness and complexity of the events. Further criticism was leveled against the school for hosting a rugby tournament on Women’s Day weekend without any visible acknowledgment of the tragedy, such as armbands or a minute’s silence, which Ford described as a cowardly act by the governing body and administrators.
In contrast to Ford’s accusations, St Stithians did issue a Women’s Day post paying tribute to Cameron Waldeck-Cooks. The private school conveyed that its campuses were in “profound mourning” for Cameron, describing her as a “deeply loved young woman in our Saints family.” The school’s message also reflected on the significance of Women’s Day, honoring the courage of women and acknowledging the progress made, while recognizing that significant work remains to achieve genuine equality, dignity, and justice for all.