Creating a platform to report bullying

Chris Hani Crossing Mall marketing manager Lebohang Matlala said the benches will provide a safe and anonymous space for learners to report bullying.

July 23, 2019

Aaron Damane 1 minute read

Learners from Abram Hlophe Primary School in Katlehong were excited to receive a donation of benches from Chris Hani Crossing Mall on July 18.

“Be a Buddy Not a Bully.” These were the catchwords staff members of the Chris Hani Crossing Mall in Vosloorus propagated in their 67 minutes anti-bullying campaign on Mandela Day on July 18.

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The campaign saw staff members donate six benches to two local primary schools. Three of the benches were donated to Abram Hlophe Primary School and the rest to Mthimkhulu Primary School. Attached to each bench is a suggestion box to allow learners to report instances of bullying, or any suggestion they might help to curb bullying at schools.

“The ‘Tell-on-a-bully-box’ will also provide a friendly reminder to learners that friendship can be formed by sharing a seat,” said Matlala.

The purpose of donating these benches is to try to decrease bullying at schools.

“There are too many children who tend to become victims of bullying in our schools. Some of them end up quitting school. “This increases the rate of crime in our country,” she said.

Matlala said some of the learners are afraid to report bullying. “So we had to come up with a new idea where learners will be given a platform to report bullying anonymously. Learners will write messages and place it on the box. This will be monitored by the teachers,” said Matlala.

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The donation was well received by both teachers and learners.