Laerskool Kempton Park held a community awareness event on September 16, following recent events that have deeply affected one of its school families and the wider Kempton Park community.

The school said it felt it could not remain silent and used the event to bring learners and community partners together to raise awareness about child and community safety, human trafficking, substance abuse, bullying and crime.

“As a school, we have a responsibility not only to educate our learners academically, but also to help create a safer and more informed community,” said event organiser Janine O’Kelly.

O’Kelly confirmed that Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo’s eight-year-old daughter is a learner at the school.

She said the school’s priority was to ensure the child had a safe, caring and supportive environment while respecting the family’s privacy during an incredibly difficult time.

Also read: Elizabeth’s family thanks South Africa for standing with them

“The school community is standing alongside the family with compassion and practical support where appropriate. We are also working with the relevant professionals and organisations to ensure that support is handled sensitively, with the child’s wellbeing at the centre of everything we do,” said O’Kelly.

The school is also collecting donations to assist the family financially.

O’Kelly said the school’s message to learners was centred on kindness, respect and supporting one another.

“Sometimes we cannot fix what another person is going through, but we can make sure that they do not feel alone,” she said.

Learners were encouraged to show compassion, avoid rumours and speculation, respect their classmate’s privacy and speak to a trusted adult if they were worried or needed support.

The initiative brought together Laerskool Kempton Park, the Gauteng Department of Social Development, SAPS, RedOps Security Solutions and Tutela.

Also read: Community runs for Tsontso and women lost across Ekurhuleni

Sibulele Nibe from the Department of Social Development addressed the learners, while the participating organisations supported the broader awareness and safety initiative.

O’Kelly said the involvement of the different organisations demonstrated the importance of schools and communities working together to protect children.

“Schools are at the heart of communities. We have an opportunity to educate children about recognising unsafe situations, knowing where to seek help and understanding that they have the right to speak up when something is wrong,” she said.

She said awareness could not stop at the school gate.

“By bringing parents, community organisations, Social Development, SAPS and safety partners together, schools can help build stronger networks of protection around children and families.”

O’Kelly said no school, family, organisation or law-enforcement agency could address community safety alone.

“When people stand together, information is shared, support becomes stronger and awareness reaches further. Most importantly, it sends a powerful message to our children and families: you are not standing alone; your community cares.”

The main objective of the event was education, prevention and empowerment.

Also read: Kempton Park records Gauteng’s highest kidnapping figure

“We wanted our learners to receive age-appropriate information about safety, human trafficking, substance abuse, bullying and crime, and to know who they can approach for help,” said O’Kelly. “We also wanted the event to start a broader conversation about how schools, families and community organisations can work together towards a safer future.”