The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Nursing, in collaboration with the Department of Education, hosted an anti-bullying campaign and boy’s manhood dialogue at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus on 28 and 29 June 2022.

Twenty secondary schools in Mahikeng were invited to attend. These included the Sebopiwa Secondary School, Boitseanape Technical School, Ramaina Secondary School, Batswana Commercial School, Batloung High School, and the Kebonang, Sejankabo, Mococe, Tetlano, Motuba, Kebalepile, Lapologang Secondary Schools, among others.

According to Boitumelo Molato, one of the NWU event organisers, the aim of these two events was to equip young males with the necessary life skills, and to create a platform for dialogue on their growth path, challenges, threats and opportunities.

Furthermore, the events aimed to create strong camaraderie and future networks among boys, to instil a high sense of self-reflection and self-discipline, and finally to enable them to share information and experiences on common deviant behaviour endemic to boys, focusing on the consequences thereof, and the skills they need to avoid deviant behaviour.

Other stakeholders that participated in this initiative included the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Community Police Forum, the Department of Social Development, Men for Real, the Thuthuzela Care Centre, and the Family and Marriage Society of South Africa.

During the events student nurses shared their anti-bullying message through role play, poetry, music, and presentations.

Colonel Joel Sapelo from the SAPS addressed the learners, discouraging them from getting involved in criminal activities which could ultimately destroy their futures.

Student nurse Itumeleng Makgale emphasised the need to change their mindsets, and nursing lecturer Tabea Motsilanyane highlighted that learners should develop their emotional intelligence, as it will help them to deal with social ills.