Pupils take a stand against xenophobia
"No one chooses where they are born but all of us can choose where we want to go and what we want to achieve."
MBOMBELA – In an attempt to help stop brutal attacks on foreigners in South Africa, the learners of Lowveld High School (LHS) turned to art, not only to express their dismay but also to appeal to the world to bring an end to these senseless killings.
The idea to design a 10-metre poster came from none other than grade 11 learner, Sinenhlanhla Ngcobo. Her brother was directly affected by these attacks in KwaZulu-Natal and although he didn’t sustain any serious injuries, he couldn’t go to school anymore as it was too dangerous, she explained.
“At first I had no idea how bad it actually was until my mom told me to turn on the television. “I was shocked and immediately phoned my brother to hear if he was okay.”
Being hundreds of kilometres apart, Sinenhlanhla wasn’t exactly sure how she could help, but was nonetheless determined to get the youth’s voices heard someway or another. She met with the talented Noah Phiri, also a learner at LHS, whose art skills seem to have no boundaries, and asked for his help with the original design of a poster.
“Within mere seconds he came up with a brilliant concept and out of nowhere people queued to write messages of support on the poster that was put up against one of the walls at the school. Some even wrote poems and others prayers,” Sinenhlanhla said.
She said she was overwhelmed by the support from her fellow pupils and had no idea how strongly the youth felt about the attacks. “It made me once again realise how much we as the youth of South Africa have to offer. We are the future and we have to do everything we can to influence and inspire those around us. Xenophobia should be stopped. There is no reason to fight and it is our responsibility to not follow in the trend. No one chooses where they are born but all of us can choose where we want to go and what we want to achieve.” The poster was handed over to the SAPS on Friday and placed on one of the police station’s walls to create awareness.
LHS also challenged the rest of the schools in Mbombela to do the same and take hands with them in the fight against xenophobia.
