Kempton Park initiative promotes learner safety and wellbeing

Tutela Family Care – Kempton Park joined forces with ID Verification Systems (IVS), Spartan Clinic, Kempton Park SAPS Social Crime Prevention and the Department of Social Development (DSD) to host a Mandela Day awareness campaign at Mehlareng Combined Farm School on July 22.

The school hosted the event and co-ordinated learner and teacher participation.

Each organisation contributed its expertise to educate learners on issues affecting young people.

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IVS sponsored gift packs and supported the programme; Spartan Clinic presented health awareness information; the SAPS educated learners on personal safety, crime prevention and responsible social media use; and the DSD raised awareness about substance abuse prevention and available support services.

According to Tutela Family Care – Kempton Park’s Onassis Mfomande, the organisation works closely with schools across Kempton Park and the wider Ekurhuleni area, where bullying, substance abuse and health concerns continue to affect learners.

“Mehlareng Combined Farm School has also reported incidents of learners experimenting with vaping, making these issues particularly relevant.

“Through our ongoing relationship with the school, we recognised the need to provide learners with practical information, positive role models and support that empowers them to make healthy and responsible choices,” said Mfomande.

The awareness campaign was combined with a sports day, with learners participating in boys’ and girls’ soccer as well as netball.

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Mfomande said Tutela believes learning is most effective when it is engaging and enjoyable, which is why the awareness sessions were paired with sport.

The organisation already runs a weekly programme at the school, alternating between life skills sessions and sporting activities every Wednesday.

According to Mfomande, sport promotes discipline, teamwork, resilience and healthy lifestyles while creating an environment where learners are more receptive to important life lessons. It also demonstrates that sport can create future educational and career opportunities.

Before the event, Tutela consulted with school management to identify the challenges affecting learners, ensuring the programme addressed the school’s specific needs.

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IVS served as the primary sponsor of the initiative, providing learner gift packs and supporting the day’s activities. Representatives from the company also joined learners on the sports field and shared motivational messages.

“As a non-profit organisation, Tutela relies on partnerships with businesses to extend our reach and impact. Partnerships like these strengthen our ability to continue serving vulnerable communities while inspiring other businesses to become involved,” said Mfomande.

He said Tutela hopes every learner left the event knowing their value and potential.

“We encouraged them to respect themselves and others, reject bullying, substance abuse and other harmful behaviours, and focus on building a positive future through education, healthy choices and perseverance.”

Mfomande added that Tutela has adopted Mehlareng Combined Farm School as one of its partner schools and remains committed to supporting the school through ongoing life skills programmes, sport and contributions to its feeding scheme.

The organisation also intends expanding similar prevention and awareness programmes to other schools as resources and partnerships allow.

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Tutela measures the impact of its programmes through regular feedback from school management, educators and learners, as well as ongoing observation during its continued involvement with partner schools.

“A child cannot reach their full academic potential if they are living in fear of bullying, struggling with trauma or exposed to substance abuse. Creating safe, healthy and supportive school environments is everyone’s responsibility. By working together, we can equip children with the resilience, values and opportunities they need to become responsible, successful members of society,” said Mfomande.

IVS said it believes every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, supportive and healthy environment, which is why it supported the initiative.

The company said sport encourages teamwork, respect, discipline and unity while helping learners develop physically and mentally.

“IVS is proud to sponsor today’s Mandela Day programme. We donated school bags, stationery, soccer balls, cupcakes and refreshments to help make the day enjoyable and memorable for the learners.

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“We hope our involvement inspires young people to believe in themselves, work hard towards their dreams and understand that success is possible regardless of their circumstances.”

The company also encouraged learners, parents and the broader community to stand together against bullying by promoting kindness, respect and compassion.

Sergeant Constance Ramawela, Kempton Park SAPS Schools Safety coordinator, said Social Crime Prevention regularly partners with NGOs such as Tutela to promote safer schools.

She said young people are often targeted for drug abuse and gang recruitment, making awareness initiatives such as these vital.

“Youth are targeted for drugs and gang recruitment, so events like these focus on alternatives to crime and substance abuse. Learners often lack positive role models, which makes discipline and character building more difficult. We have to rebuild trust and show that policing is about service, not just arrests,” said Ramawela.

Addressing the learners, Ramawela encouraged them to respect one another, remain in school and make responsible choices.

“You are the future leaders our communities need. Stay in school, choose discipline and good character, avoid anything that will harm your future and remember that reading books will make you wiser.”

She also thanked the teachers for their role in shaping responsible citizens and encouraged schools to continue working with Social Crime Prevention, parents and community organisations to create safer learning environments.