BULLYING has the potential to affect the emotional, social, and academic well-being of learners. For victims, bullying may even lead to self-harm and suicide.

The programme aims to empower learners to stand up against bullying, foster a culture of safety and inclusion, and provide peer-led support in the school environment. Learners and educators from 40 schools across the province participated in the informative launch, and ultimately, the learners were endorsed as Anti-Bullying champions in their respective schools.

Senior Public Prosecutor, Pinetown, Gugu Mbili, highlighted that bullying has become real and emphasised the importance of speaking up if one has fallen victim. “Bullying is not limited to school premises; it has made its way to social media. This reality has contributed to school dropouts,” Mbili said. She called on all stakeholders to engage, and for the champions to become true ambassadors and spread the message against bullying.

Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Omashani Naidoo, stressed that bullying is a criminal offence and learners as young as 14 years could be prosecuted.

“The reality is that some cases of bullying may even lead to death. I would advise witnesses of bullying not to stand back, but instead to speak out. The victims should not suffer in silence. Educators must actively intervene in bullying actions. And some parents have failed their children, giving rise to bullying behavior,” Naidoo said.

“Bullying has been noted to be higher among girls, who either fall victim, perpetrate, or cheer,” underlined Sandile Zungu from KZN Education.
“As a means to address bullying, girls should form peer clubs where they can support and protect each other. Such girls’ clubs teach resilience, embracing kindness, and promote social intelligence,” Zungu said.
He mentioned that the bullies often have multiple personalities, which creates confusion in addressing bullying. “Because the trouble-makers wear masks, and present different characters at home, society, or at school.” He suggested the introduction of anger-management skills to troubled learners.

Addressing the ambassadors, Advocate Bonnie Currie Gamwo, Special Director of Public Prosecution, said they had a huge responsibility to shield their peers from bullying.
“This can be achieved by exposing the offenders. Non-exposure propels the behavior, which is why no one should be a bystander,” Gamwo added.
She placed some of the blame on broken homes, where children are subjected to domestic violence, and they turn to violence against their peers.

Speaking out, learners urged the teachers and parents to support both victims of bullying and perpetrators. “Open the lines of communication, show them love, boost their esteem, and shield them from domestic violence.”
They indicated that being a victim of bullying leaves unseen, permanent scars, so if all were to unite and combine their efforts, bullies would retreat.

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