“The Tea Guy’s” Tragic Death and Pappa Lawrie’s Appeal to High Schools

The South African social media community was shaken by the tragic passing of Wessel Lourens, better known as “The Tea Guy” on TikTok. Wessel was widely loved for his infectious videos, in which he made tea while sharing positivity, humour, and joy. His light-hearted presence was a source of comfort for many, especially in times when people turned to social media for a moment of relief.

Following Wessel’s death, a troubling conversation has emerged — one focused on the bullying many students face, particularly related to their sexuality. In the wake of Wessel’s passing, several school pupils reached out to social media influencer Pappa Lawrie, known for his advocacy on social issues. These students, also from the same High School, shared painful stories about being bullied, particularly for their sexuality. What initially seemed like a quiet and personal tragedy has since evolved into a larger conversation about the deep-rooted bullying in schools, with a focus on LGBTQIA+ issues.

A comment from a pupil following Wessel’s tragic news

But the situation surrounding High Schools has sparked controversy, as YDW learned Pappa Lawrie had actually contacted a teacher from the school in question prior to Wessel’s death. Lawrie reported a distressing concern – he had noticed Wessel had been cutting himself. He reported this to a teacher at the school on the 9th November. The teacher responded on the 11th November explaining they would bring it to the schools managements attention.

Despite his reaching out to the particular teacher, the schools response to the allegations, which surfaced after Wessel’s passing, was to dismiss Lawrie’s concerns. 

The High School since issued a statement claiming that Pappa Lawrie was simply seeking attention, accusing him of sensationalism. But as Lawrie himself has pointed out, this accusation is far from the truth. He feels a personal responsibility to address the allegations that have been brought to light — not for attention, but out of a genuine concern and his passion for helping young people, especially those grappling with their identity in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving.

Wessel’s Legacy: Positivity and Acceptance

Wessel’s TikTok videos, which centred around the simple act of making tea, brought joy to countless people. His warm, bubbly personality shone through in every clip, and it wasn’t just the tea-making process that captivated viewers, but his messages of self-acceptance, kindness, and love. Wessel consistently encouraged his followers to embrace who they are and find positivity in even the smallest moments.

He became a symbol of joy, hope, and positivity for many young South Africans, and his untimely passing has left a deep void in the lives of his followers. But while the grief is palpable, the situation has also highlighted a crucial issue: bullying in schools, especially related to sexuality and gender identity. The painful reality is that, for many students, bullying is an ongoing battle they face simply for being themselves.

The Bullying Crisis: Unveiling the Dark Side

After Wessel’s passing, several pupils reached out to Pappa Lawrie to share their experiences of being bullied in school, primarily due to their sexuality. These students reported being taunted, physically harassed, and socially ostracised because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. In many cases, the bullying was subtle yet pervasive, with students being targeted for things as simple as expressing who they are or being open about their sexuality.

The bullying is not always overt. Sometimes it manifests as “harmless” teasing, but for the students on the receiving end, it can have a devastating effect. This kind of bullying is not just a passing phase; it’s something that eats away at a student’s self-worth and mental health. It affects their academic performance, their relationships, and their ability to feel safe in their own skin.

The conversation took a serious turn when Pappa Lawrie, who has long been a vocal advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and mental health issues, became directly involved. His intention was simple: to help, to create a space for those students to feel safe, supported, and understood.

Pappa Lawrie’s Commitment: Advocating for Change

In the wake of the schools response, Pappa Lawrie has made it clear that he feels a strong moral obligation to address this issue head-on, especially when it involves the lives of vulnerable young people who are facing discrimination and hatred at school.

Pappa Lawrie has expressed a deep passion for helping students, particularly those struggling with their sexual identity. His own experiences, combined with the stories he has heard from countless others, have motivated him to continue his advocacy. Lawrie’s message has always been clear: no one should ever feel ashamed of who they are, and schools must take responsibility for creating environments that are safe and inclusive for all students, regardless of their sexuality or gender.

Pappa Lawrie

For Lawrie, it’s not about seeking personal gain or attention — it’s about standing up for those who need a voice. He has used his platform to amplify the voices of the students who have reached out to him, and to demand that institutions like this High School take responsibility for the environment they are fostering.

Lawrie’s approach has been to empower students to speak out and to show solidarity with those who have been affected by bullying. His aim is not only to raise awareness but to push for real change, including better policies around anti-bullying and stronger LGBTQIA+ support systems in schools.

The Role of Schools: Time for Action

The tragic passing of Wessel has underscored a pressing issue that can no longer be ignored. Bullying in schools is a crisis that needs urgent attention. It is not enough for schools to simply issue statements or downplay the situation. The time for action is now.

Zero-tolerance policies for bullying, better training for teachers, and more robust support systems for LGBTQIA+ students are just some of the necessary changes that need to happen. Schools must do more than just pay lip service to inclusivity — they must actively create a culture where every student feels safe and accepted, no matter who they are.

For those students who feel they have nowhere to turn, it’s important to know that there are people — like Pappa Lawrie — who are willing to fight for their rights and support them through the challenges they face. But for lasting change to occur, it is essential that both individuals and institutions take a stand against bullying.

A Legacy of Love and Change

Wessel’s legacy, while rooted in the joy and humour he shared with his followers, has now evolved into a call for action — a call to end the silence around bullying, especially bullying based on sexuality. Through the tragic events of his passing, we are reminded that we must stand up for the students who are most vulnerable.

Pappa Lawrie’s dedication to this cause, his commitment to LGBTQIA+ students, and his willingness to speak out against the injustice of bullying are to be commended. Wessel’s memory and the voices of the students who came forward will continue to drive the conversation about kindness, respect, and equality in South African schools.

Lawrie signing fan t-shirts

As a community, it is time we do more than just talk about these issues. Action is needed. And together, we can ensure that every student feels safe, valued, and accepted — no matter who they love or how they identify.

We’d like to thank Pappa Lawrie for his full cooperation with YDW in the research of this article. At Your Digital World, we stand with you against bullying.