In a well-attended public meeting at Forest High School on April 11, the message was clear: the community needs to stand up, don’t be afraid, and must not be cowards.

The meeting follows the killing of Grade Eight learner, Litha Duba. Ward 124 Clr Mongameli Mnyameni, together with the school, called the meeting to urgently address the growing and concerning issue of bullying among learners within the community and schools.

@southern.courierMnyameni said any parent has a right to ask a loitering learner why they are not at school. “Parents need to take accountability and know what is happening around the school. We need to live in a free community. All these stakeholders need to provide solutions,” he said. Full story on southerncourier.co.za♬ original sound – Southern Courier

The aim of the meeting was to foster solutions and create a safe and supportive environment for the learners. There was robust community engagement, and clarity-seeking questions led by Mnyameni.

Different stakeholders attended the meeting, including the SAPS, CPF, security companies and NGOs. The police urged the parents to allow teachers to do their work because often cases are opened against teachers without talking to the principal. Parents were advised to be responsible for their children.

WATCH: Turffontein community in shock as Forest High learner dies

Mnyameni said any parent has a right to ask a loitering learner why they are not at school. “Parents need to take accountability and know what is happening around the school. We need to live in a free community. All these stakeholders need to provide solutions,” he said.

Concerns, questions and suggestions from the floor:

• “Schools need to look at the exams’ timetable, because learners will write exams and after they will have two weeks idling. This will result in them not going to school and others roaming the streets because they have nothing to do.”

• “Idling learners are a problem. They must be busy at all times. When they are not in class, they must be in the field playing sport or singing in a choir.’

• “We need to have functional street committees so that they can monitor these children. Leaders like councillors, SAPS and CPF need to help us formulate these structures.”

• “Charity begins at home. Teachers can only augment what you taught your child at home. It all comes back to us as parents. All we know is to come to school and attack teachers who are doing what you fail to do.”

• “Let’s train our children to be the best of themselves. We need to monitor their cellphones because some of these problems start there. Teach your child about bullying, be an involved parent and know the day-to-day activities of your child. Our responsibility is to teach them how to behave at home, and that will be extended to school. Don’t cover for your child when she/he is wrong.”

WATCH: “I want to leave here with my son alive” – Mother mourns Forest High learner

CPF deputy chair Mr Zola urged the community not to be reactive. “We are too quiet for a country we fought for. The community will often say police are corrupt, and they don’t do their job, but you rent out a backroom to drug peddlers, and you know about them.

@southern.courierLeaders, parents, and police unite after Litha Duba’s death, urging accountability, discipline, and action to protect learners. Full story on southerncourier.co.za♬ original sound – Southern Courier

“When you see wrongdoing, report it. Parents, please be strict and responsible with your children. You know who sells drugs, and you keep quiet because you are benefiting. Please stand up. We will win this fight if we talk about these issues, don’t be afraid, don’t be a coward,” he said.

A representative from Women for Change implored the police to do their job. “Don’t take bribes. One day at a spaza shop, I saw a child buying dagga. What shocked me was how the police and peace officers collected money there.

“Scholar transport drivers sit with learners inside their cars during school hours. Why? When Litha was attacked, there were people at Rotunda Park, but they did not speak out,” she said.

Colonel Magwaza from Booysens SAPS said there are five high schools in their precinct, and there’s a lot of bullying and drug selling among learners. “Parents, take charge of your home. The government can say you can smoke dagga as long as you are at home, but as a principled parent, you cannot allow that to happen, especially if a child is doing it.

“Give us information. Call me, and I will send people who will not take bribes. My numbers are 082 443 4437 or 082 336 6934. Alternatively, contact the charge office on 082 772 6625. Also, join CPF and help fight crime,” he said.

@southern.courierColonel Magwaza from Booysens SAPS said there are five high schools in their precinct, and there’s a lot of bullying and drug selling among learners. Full story on southerncourier.co.za

♬ original sound – Southern Courier

WATCH: Forest High holds memorial as community mourns learner Litha Duba

Principal Shaffy Stevens said that, with the help of parents, they can turn the corner. “I hope the young man did not lose his life in vain. We need to make sure that this does not happen again. We can only prevent it if we have the community’s assistance.

“This school is not an island; it is part of the community and a reflection of what is happening in the community. With all stakeholders working together, we will be able to turn the situation around.”

@southern.courierPrincipal Shaffy Stevens said that, with the help of parents, they can turn the corner. “I hope the young man did not lose his life in vain. We need to make sure that this does not happen again. We can only prevent it if we have the community’s assistance. Full story on southerncourier.co.za♬ original sound – Southern Courier

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