After the tragic death of Nonjabulo Sabela, an 8 year old learner from Umzwilili Primary School, the MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Senzo Mchunu, formed a task team on the 4th of March 2013.
The main objectives of the task team were to find ways to use Nonjabulo’s death to galvanise the society against social ills in general and child abuse in particular, to synergize government and business capacity lacking within the department, to popularize the School Safety Campaign and to create a heritage of safety for the Mzwilili Primary School and all school going children in the province.
The Terms of Reference of the task team were:
- Cut and remove the bush around the school
- Establish a sports field where there has been a bush
- Pave the school to beautify the school parameter
- Install a bill-board with a message in the name of Nonjabulo
- Establish Grades 5,6,and 7 at the school as it currently has grades R to 4
- Build requisite infrastructure to accommodate new grades
- Get collective community ownership and protection of schools
- Ensure maximum participation of communities to school safety to benefit teachers and learners
- Renovate and repair classrooms and fence around the school and
- Ensure safe crossing of the railway line near the school.
On the 13th and 14th of April 2013, all the stakeholders met and went through a massive clean-up operation at the school. That first phase of the programme is going to culminate in a Safe Schools Campaign launch, which will take place on the 20th April 2013.
During this launch, dignitaries, including MEC Senzo Mchunu and Minister of Correctional Services, Sbu Ndebele, will arrive in the morning at 10h00 to join the cleaning campaign and to unveil the billboard. After that, the dignitaries and the community will walk to King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium for the official launch of the Safe Schools Campaign.
This campaign against social ills is led by the Provincial Social Cluster Departments and Operation Sukuma Sakhe in partnership with Correctional Services, Cogta, Community Safety and Liaison, South African Police Service, eThekwini Municipality, Metrorail, SAB & ABI and Youth and Religious formations.
For more information contact:
Muzi Mahlambi
Cell: 082 519 1420
Sihle Mlotshwa
Cell: 072 207 2018
Muntu Lukhozi
Cell: 082 562 5965
