The Gauteng Provincial Government embarked on a
week-long service delivery drive in Ga-Rankuwa, Winterveldt and Mabopane, North
of Tshwane. This service delivery drive was part of a build up to the State of
the Province Address (SOPA) by Premier David Makhura at Sefako Makgatho Health
Science University for next week.
 
Acting Social Development MEC, Panyaza Lesufi, addressed
learners from Soshanguve East Secondary School and nearby community on bullying
and substance abuse.
 
“We have instructed schools in the province to
identify bullies in our institutions of learning so that we can help them
change for the better. Behaviour of bullies discourages the potential of their
victims, it is for that reason we condemn it including those who are experimenting
with drugs” said Lesufi.
 
Lesufi’s views were echoed by 16-year-old Njabulo Zulu
an anti-bullying activist, who said bullying should be discouraged at all cost
as it destroys confidence of learners who should be aspiring to shine. Lesufi
added that, in order to address some of the challenges confronting schools,
learners should be included so that they can also be part and own up to the
solutions.
 
As part of the week-long service blitz, the Gauteng Department
of Social Development with its sister departments visited several schools,
where they handed over two hundred dignity packs and conducted public awareness
on how to register Non-Profit Organisation.