16 April 2007
"We all have a role to play in eradicating crime and violence in our
schools," Archbishop Bonkosi Elphas Madlopha said in his address at a mass
prayer meeting that was organised by the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of
Education.
His words were echoed by several speakers, including a learner from the
troubled Qyantayi High School, who said that most of the problems at school are
caused by drug abuse. Eastern Cape Education MEC Johnny Makgato, who handed
over the national torch of peace to KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Ina Cronje,
said learners must start saying "No" to the wrong things. Messages of support
were also given by a school governing body member, the police, Department of
Community Safety, the national Department of Education, teacher unions, KZN
Works MEC Lydia Johnnson and Free State Education MEC Ouma Tsopo.
The prayer day in Esikhawini was organised by the provincial education
department after a period of extreme violence in KwaZulu-Natal schools in the
first term. Close to 5 000 people attended the event, where religious groups
from all denominations gathered to ask for guidance and help from the Higher
Powers.
Quoting Martin Luther King, Cronje said that "he who passively accepts evil
is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it." She painted a
bleak picture of the evil events that played off at schools in KwaZulu-Natal in
the first term. Armed robbery, riots, violent behaviour, stabbing, strike,
shooting, murder, rape, theft made out the disturbing list of crimes that were
committed since schools re-opened in January 2007; most of the crimes included
violent behaviour by people.
"People, who are committing these crimes, are people like you and me,
parents, children, neighbours. While one erects fences and I am not saying we
must not do everything that we can possibly do, an evil heart cannot be held
out by a fence they will cut a hole in it or jump over it to commit an evil
deed."
"Education cannot do it alone. Communities must take charge of their own
destinies. All of us must do something." After signing the Palm of Peace pledge
based on the philosophy of Helen Keller, who was born blind and deaf - Cronje
invited everybody to sign the pledge. "One person can and does make a
difference in stopping violence and criminal activity. Your individual choices
and actions when multiplied by those of others through the province can reverse
the violence. By making the following pledge, you join thousands of others to
keep KwaZulu-Natal schools safe and drug free.
To keep schools in KwaZulu-Natal safe places in which to learn and work, I
pledge:
* to use no violence and aggression to solve problems or disputes
* to refuse to participate in or tolerate bullying or violent behaviour
* to have the courage to report it when I hear about dangerous weapons, or
violence or criminal activity in my school.
Enquiries:
Christi Naude
Director: Media and Citizen Liaison (Acting)
KwaZulu-Natal Education
Tel: (033) 355 2453
Fax: (033) 342 0275
Cell: 083 262 8829
E-mail: christin@kznedu.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
16 April 2007
