“Bullying is a public health crisis that affects all schools in South Africa.” This is according to Dr Molekodi Matsipane, director of the School of Nursing at the North-West University (NWU).
The School of Nursing at the Mahikeng Campus, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, the Office of the Premier, South African Police Services (SAPS), Men for Real and the South African Ministry Fraternal (SAMIFRA), launched an anti-bullying campaign from 11 to 13 October 2021 to address the high prevalence of bullying in schools in Mahikeng.
The campaign kicked off with door-to-door visits on 11 October at Unit 2.
On 12 October, the School of Nursing visited different schools around Mahikeng, with the main event taking place at Letsatsing Secondary school on 13 October.
“We decided to hold the main event at Letsatsing because of the high number of reported of bullying incidents at the school,” says Boitumelo Molato from the School of Nursing.
Other schools that were visited include Seleje Secondary school (Madiba a Makgabane), Sejankabo Secondary school (Seweding), Barolong Secondary school (Lomanayaneng), Sebopiwa Molema Secondary school (Signal Hill), SC-Kgobokoe Secondary school (Tsetse), CN Lekalake Secondary school (Unit 5), and Kebonang Secondary school (Unit 14).
Dr Matsipane says there are different reasons why learners bully, but common characteristics include feeling powerless or insecure, the need to control others and enjoying the rewards they get from bullying, among others.
During the event Pastor Lerato Soul-Mohotlhane from SAMIFRA encouraged learners to stop bullying each other and to put God in everything they do.
Sergeant Loeto from the SAPS cautioned learners that law enforcers will not leave a stone unturned when it comes to bullying.
Kelebogile Baobeditse, a nursing student and a bullying survivor, encouraged learners not to give up when being bullied and to report it immediately.
Representatives of the various stakeholders that took part in the anti-bullying campaign.
NWU Nursing students and school learners share a light-hearted moment during the recent anti-bullying campaign.
