​On Wednesday, 18 October 2023, the Gauteng Department of Social Development Joburg Region concluded a seven sessions anti-bullying campaign aimed at eliminating aggressive behavior intended at harming other learners at Braamfischer Primary School, Soweto.
Head of Department who is also School Based Support Team Coordinator, Emily Motsoatsoe said, “We applaud the partnership between the school and Department of Social Development as today bears testimony to the change of behavior by learners who were part of the 60 learners who attended the sessions. As teachers, we are dealing with a lot of learner challenges and wish to encourage other parents too to come on board and support such initiative”.

Parent Mrs. Mkhonza express relief and said her son had behavioral challenges, fortunately the school and Social Workers assisted her family to confront the problem and his behavior has since improved for the better.

Learner *Dumisani Mkhwanazi (not his real name) confessed to terrorizing other learners and has since repented and changed his old ways. He said, “Through the intervention program, I have learned to appreciate other schoolmates and have seen my relationship with other kids improved”.

Social Worker Tsunzuka Mashele said, “We have observed from the previous sessions that sometimes bullying is caused by among others, revenge, family background, attention seeking to mention a few, but it requires parents and teachers to always ensure that communications channels are kept open for a better understanding of children.

The program is set to continue to other schools throughout the province.