POLOKWANE – Digify Africa, in partnership with Meta, hosted an anti-bullying event at Nirvana Primary School in December.

The free educational event focused on raising awareness about cyberbullying and highlighted the progress of a year-long suite of digital literacy and online safety initiatives implemented across South Africa.

Over the past year, Digify Africa has rolled out accessible learning tools and community-driven programmes aimed at helping young people, teachers, and families build safer online habits.

These initiatives include the Kitso WhatsApp Learning Bot, iLizwe Lam in-person sessions, the Digital Literacy Community of Practice, and the Youth Ambassadors campaign.

Hosted under the theme ‘Own Your Digital World’, the event was facilitated by radio personality Zaxe Mogashoa and aimed to empower young people to better understand internet safety, at a time when bullying increasingly occurs online.

More than 150 participants attended, including youths, parents, teachers, school governing bodies, representatives from the Department of Basic Education and local partner organisations such as Unlimited Innovation Youth Network and OJS Foundation NPC.

Digify Africa chief operating officer Qhakaza Mohare said cyberbullying is a growing concern among young people, with potentially long-lasting effects.

“With tools like the Kitso WhatsApp Bot, however, we assist teachers and parents to build confidence and resilience as they navigate the digital world. ‘This event is an opportunity to celebrate progress and reinforce the message that everyone deserves a safe online space,” Mohare said.

The programme also featured interactive live performances and youth-led activities that shared real-life experiences and practical solutions.

Organisers said the event aimed to inspire young people to become champions of digital safety, while equipping parents and teachers with simple strategies to encourage healthier digital habits at home and in schools.