LIMPOPO – Gender-based violence (GBV) is increasingly becoming a concern among school learners in Limpopo, with bullying, sexual harassment and cyber abuse in relationships among the issues being targeted by a new awareness campaign.

The Eyes of the Nation (TEON) is taking its GBV awareness campaign to 15 priority communities across the province in an effort to educate learners and communities about violence and encourage the reporting of abuse.

Responding to what’s happening in schools

TEON CEO and founder Fannie Kgopa highlighted that the organisation was responding to what it sees daily in Limpopo schools.

“Learner-on-learner GBV and sexual harassment in high schools, especially Grades 8-11,” are among the issues the organisation is addressing.

He said the organisation was also concerned about cyberbullying and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images of girl learners on social media and messaging platforms.

Another concern is teenage pregnancy linked to relationships between young girls and older men.

Challenging abusive behaviour

Kgopa added that the campaign would also challenge the normalisation of abusive relationships among young people.

“Boys thinking controlling behaviour is love, girls thinking they must tolerate it to be loved,” he said.

The campaign will further address bullying and violence against LGBTIQ+ learners, as well as the low reporting of GBV.

“Learners are scared to report because perpetrators are in the same class, transport, or community,” he said.

15 communities targeted

The campaign will target communities including:

• Polokwane, Moletjie, Seshego, Lebowakgomo, Mankweng
• Tzaneen, Giyani, Thohoyandou, Malamulele, Musina
• Burgersfort, Groblersdal, Phalaborwa, Mokopane, Lephalale

Kgopa told Review that the communities were identified using SAPS crime statistics, Department of Social Development district reports, GBV Command Centre cases and Thuthuzela Care Centre referrals.

Aiming for change, not just awareness

The campaign will not only focus on awareness but also on encouraging victims, witnesses and communities to take action.

“We don’t count pamphlets, we count lives changed,” he said.

According to Kgopa, TEON aims to:

• Increase reporting by 30% in the targeted communities over the next 12 months
• Establish 15 school safety clubs led by learners

The organisation also wants 500 boys to sign a pledge committing themselves to rejecting violence.

“We want to see boys defending girls, not recording abuse,” Kgopa said.

Supported by Limpopo Gambling Board

The campaign is supported by the Limpopo Gambling Board, which purchased GBV awareness materials worth R150 795 for TEON as part of its corporate social investment programme.

LGB highlighted that its corporate social investment strategy is aligned with national priorities, including social protection, vibrant rural communities, nation building and cohesion.

A call to action

Kgopa added that the campaign’s broader message is that communities need to take responsibility for protecting children.

“GBV starts in childhood when we allow bullying and lack of respect. If we don’t stop it in schools, it becomes femicide tomorrow,” he said.

He emphasised that TEON wants parents, taxi drivers, tavern owners, traditional leaders and other community structures to become part of the solution.

“Awareness without action is just noise,” he said.