Cameron Waldeck-Cooks murder sparks fresh GBV call
· The South African
The murder of St Stithians learner Cameron Waldeck-Cooks has sparked renewed calls for action against gender-based violence in South Africa.
Social justice movement Not In My Name International has condemned the 17-year-old’s murder.
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The organisation said Cameron’s death highlighted the need for men and boys to become part of efforts to address gender-based violence.
Men and boys must be part of conversation
According to a report, Not In My Name spokesperson Boitumelo Thage said conversations around gender-based violence could not involve women alone.
The organisation called for more spaces where men and boys could discuss masculinity and harmful patriarchal norms.
It also warned against assumptions about who can become a victim or perpetrator of gender-based violence.
Cameron’s death investigated as murder
Cameron and Ethan Coetzee, 19, were found dead at a lodge in Sabie, Mpumalanga, on 3 August.
She was a Grade 11 learner at St Stithians Girls’ College, while Ethan matriculated from St Stithians Boys’ College in 2025.
Police initially opened an inquest into the deaths. However, the case took a turn after preliminary post-mortem findings suggested Cameron had been strangled.
Police then opened a murder case.
Family appointed own pathologist
Cameron’s parents, Derrick Cooks and Claire Waldeck-Cooks, also appointed an independent forensic pathologist.
They said preliminary findings supported the conclusion that Cameron died as a result of strangulation and suffocation.
Her family described her as a loved daughter, sister, friend and student.
Cameron had travelled to Mpumalanga as part of a hiking trip while working towards the Gold Level of The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment.