Students pledge to stop bullying
Learners and teachers signed anti-bullying pledge. Picture: Junior Bester
Portlands High School in Mitchells Plain conducted an anti-bully campaign on Tuesday where students signed a pledge to stop all forms of bullying at their school and their community.
Ridwaan Williams, school’s principal, said that the pledge was made in honour of Lufuno Mavhunga, a Limpopo high school student that committed suicide after a video went viral of her being bullied at school.
“We had Lufuno’s picture put up and we lit a candle for her while the students all signed a pledge that they will not be part of any sort of bullying,” says Ridwaan.
“We already have an anti-bully group made up of students and together with the RCL (representative council of learners) they put this whole pledge together which was also signed by all of the teachers and management.
“I also signed the pledge not only to show my support but to also make a promise that as a principal, I will also not bully anybody in any way whatsoever,” he adds.
The principal added that the pledge is not only to stop physical bullying but also emotional, mental and online abuse between students.
“The group that is currently at the school has to constantly deal with the issue of cyber-bullying due to times we are living in now,” he says.
“Every student that was present at the school on Tuesday signed the pledge to say they will not indulge in any form of bullying and they all wore pink ribbons to show their support.
“We have a vibrant study community at this school and I am very proud of all of their efforts.”
Due to lockdown regulations, only half of the students were present for the signing on Tuesday.
Ridwaan said that another pledge will be made available for the rest of the students next term.