Learners told: Switch off your phone and open a book
Book Day keynote speaker Joseph Seakamela has written a play that addresses the issue of bullying.
Makwena Joseph Seakamela hopes that his play, Mphenyasilo The Bully will continue educating young minds about the dangers of bullying.
He revealed this during a book day celebration held recently at Sammy Marks Square in honour of National Book Week (September 5–11), to which 60 learners from Masizani Primary, TS Matseke Primary, and Kgabo Primary School had been invited.
“Mphenyasilo was staged at the State Theatre in March. It explains bullying and tries to give solutions to learners and every person on how to behave when being bullied. This is done in an animated play format,” said Seakamela.
“It is painful to read about a learner who committed suicide or dropped out because of bullying. Bullying is not good, whether in a work sphere, at schools or anywhere where people gather, because it leaves someone feeling inferior, not safe, unwanted and not belonging. In addressing the issue, parents, teachers, learners and every member of the community should be involved.”
The young learners who attended the event were encouraged to give technology a break.
“Switch off your phones and take time to listen to your thoughts. Draft your ideas and see what can come out. Perhaps your stories will be read by many one day,” Seakamela said.
“As someone who has been writing children’s stories for a long time, I am often asked by students about their problems at schools – mostly bullying – although they don’t put it that way, for fear of being called snitches for speaking out. The play will be staged once more soon (which will be communicated) and I urge schools to send learners to go and watch it. It is for everyone since it is in animation,” he said.
“We want learners to form small anti-bullying groups at schools. They must rally around the one who is bullied, and defend him or her,” said Seakamela.
His first book, Ke namane ya morago, published in 1990, was prescribed for schools in 1995 and edited 13 times. His notable work includes a collaboration with other writers on A re sogeng thari, presently being prescribed for grades 5 and 6 learners at schools, as well as Mphenyasilo, his fifth book.
He also worked on the translation of Martie Preller’s Babalela from Afrikaans into Northern Sotho, which was donated to schools around Tshwane.
Stakeholders involved in the book day event included Redefine Properties, Sammy Marks Square centre management, Sammy Marks Library, Atteridgeville Library and Sammy Marks McDonald’s.
Redefine marketing manager Sandy Mabena, speaking about how books enrich readers, said: “It is believed that a reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, and this was the emphasis of the day. We encourage young people to continue reading and applying their minds.”
The celebration also featured book reviews by Seakamela, as well as an American Corner Tour at the Sammy Marks Library and a Sepedi spelling bee.
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