SECUNDA – Learners from the SAVF Santie Zietsman Day Care Centre were fascinated by the strangers who came to visit their school on Wednesday, 30 May.
They did however quickly warm up to the police officials, a snake handler and the Oregon Spur mascot who spent the morning teaching the children about their personal safety.
Ms Oosie Oosthuizen, a known snake handler in Secunda, held a demonstration with live snakes.
She showed the kids how she catches the snakes, how people should handle snakes, how snakes shed their skin, how they camouflage themselves and how they use their tongues to smell.
Although several of the learners were apprehensive about being so close to the reptiles, others wanted to take an even closer look.
W/O Jenny Joubert from the police told the children when it is acceptable for them to say no to attention and affection.
She explained when touching is bad and encouraged the children to see the police as their friends.
She also explained that they should not touch or try to hold a real gun.
“If your father owns a gun, he is the only person who is allowed to handle the gun. Nobody is allowed to pick up someone else’s firearm,” she said.
“This also means that if you see a gun in the street, you should not touch it, but rather call a grown-up or the police.”
Ms Lizelle Riekert and her mascot from the Oregon Spur also entertained the kids and handed out gift vouchers.
The event was held as part of National Child Protection Week.
