HASHTAG ABUSE MUST FALL

THE PUPILS OF RABASOTHO AND AKANI SCHOOL TAKE TO THE STREET ON TUESDAY, TO SLAM ABUSE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILD ABUSE IN DIEPSLOOT.

Maleka Charles

‘Siyenzeni na?’ was a marching song for the pupils of Rabasotho combined school and Akani on Tuesday, as they marched from Rabasotho premises in extension 10 to the Youth Center in extention 2, Diepsloot North of Johannesburg.

The children along with Reverand Nkosi from Methodist church and Governor of the PWMSA Hlengiwe Mkhize took part in a Child Protection Peace Walk against women and child abuse in celebration of a National Child protection week, as well as making the community aware that the rights of the children must always be protected.

Hlengiwe Mkhize, chairperson & founder of NCVT and the founder and national governor of the PWMSA, as well as the member of Parliament (MP), urged the children to report corporal punishment in schools, she told them that they must be safe either at schools or their homes.

“If a teacher claps or beats you, you must call our toll free number and report such incident.”

“When you are at school you must be safe, and when you are at home you must be safe as well.”

“You are the children of God, and we have come here to say no to child abuse, enough is enough.”

Mr Sadike, the principal of Rabasotho combined school, raised major challenges the school is faced with, he lamented the use of drugs and Alcohol by the school pupils and asked the parents to help.

“The challenges that we are facing are drugs, smoking and drinking at an early age.”

“So I’m saying if ever there’s anything, or any machinism that can help us to stop this alcohol, parents please help us, help.”

Reverend Nkosi from Akani and Methodist church reminded the kids that they are made of God’s image and that the kingdom of God belongs to them.

“Look at yourself and remember God loves you as children, and the kingdom of God belongs to you.

“And don’t let anyone to make you feel inferior, Jesus promised that he will be with you and with God we will conquer.”

Keba Ntwampe, from Department of social development in Gauteng, said children must be protected at all times to move South Africa forward, as it is the theme of the week.

“Let’s protect our children to move South Africa forward.”

She also slammed bullying in schools, saying children must stop it and start caring for one another,

“What is disturbing is that children also hurt each other, bullying happens because we don't care about each other.”

“Let’s protect each other and always remember your seven Bs which are Books, Before, Boys, Because, Boys, Bring, Babies.

Ntwampe concluded the speech by asking the school boys to protect the girls at all times.

“Boys you need to take care of the girls and you have to protect them at all times.”

It is the responsibility of every person to act to stop the ongoing incidences of violence and abuse against women and children that are hurting some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. 

The National Children and Violence Trust (NCVT), said the aim of the walk was to create awareness around a number of violations of children's rights in our communities as well as recreating consciousness about the importance of keeping the children safe.

"The purpose of the walk was to create awareness around the number of violations of children’s rights."

"The walk aims to recreate consciousness in the community about the importance of keeping its children safe and meeting their basic needs so that they can develop into productive members of society in future."

The National Children and Violence Trust is a Non profit Organisation that works on supporting victims of crimes. 

They offer psycho-social services such as counselling to learners in Diepsloot, Cosmo City, Honeydew, Florida, and Rooderpoort Police Station. 

NCVT has six social workers, seven auxiliary social workers and over twenty volunteers. The head office is in Fourways in the Witkoppen Clinic premises.

The walk was organised by The National Children and Violence Trust in partnership with the Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa (PWMSA).

For more information email Mpumi Mndaweni, A Senior Social Worker on social1@ncvt.co.za.