UKZN Nursing Students Organise Anti-Bullying Campaign

BY: .

A group of fourth year UKZN Nursing students organised an anti-bullying campaign at Montarena Secondary School in Chatsworth, Durban, for Grade 8 and Grade 9 learners.

The students were Mr Jabulani Ngcobo, Ms Kelly Werner, Ms Tina Caluza, Ms Nokubonga Mkhabela and Ms Pam Cebekhulu.

The campaign aimed to educate learners about cyberbullying and physical bullying with the intention being to help prevent such behaviour.

Participants were told bullying could cause victims to suffer anxiety, fear, depression and low self-esteem, and were told to speak out and inform teachers and section heads if they were bullied.

Grade 8 and Grade 9 pupils were specifically targeted in the hope that when they were in Grade 12, they would not be bullies or tolerate bullying.

Said Ngcobo: ‘It was evident from the time we walked into the venue that these Nursing students were passionate about the profession they were about to enter into as well as the topic at hand. Everything was well thought out and well executed. 

‘On our first day at Montarena we saw two learners hitting one another in front of teachers and had to take action.

‘Anti-bullying posters were placed around the school grounds with messages such as:  Unite Against Bullying and Stop Bullying,’ said Ngcobo.

Guest speakers, Social worker Mr Melusi Shabalala, and fourth year Law student, Mr Sifiso Nxumalo, inspired learners not to bully one another, delivering a message of love, respect, hope and compassion.

Grade 9 learners Shaney Ranjoomia and Shivuyo Motiale said they found the talk ‘very interesting’ and ‘inspiring’, and were thankful to UKZN for presenting the intervention programme. 

Sinenhlanhla Ngubane