Durban — Primary schools from KwaDabeka and surrounding areas marched to raise awareness on bullying, gender-based violence (GBV) and drug prevention in the community on Saturday.
The march was hosted by KwaDabeka police station and had pupils from schools in Claremont, Kwadabeka, Dassenhoek and Wyebank playing friendly games of soccer and netball at the KK sports grounds supported by Build It.
KwaDabeka SAPS station commander Colonel Nicolas Mchunu said the area has a growing number of taverns and very few churches, which can have a negative impact on the youth.
The love for sports is evident as many pupils from primary to high schools are often seen playing soccer around the neighbourhood, he said.
Mchunu encouraged the primary school pupils to continue playing sports as it keeps them focused on their school work and away from many social ills such as drugs.
He also discouraged them from turning to drugs to cheat in sports.
Sports chairperson Nkule Xaba from Ward 19 said that she works with the eThekwini Municipality to drive the message of sports in her ward.
Sport was important because it encourages children to think and keep their bodies healthy, she said, and it could save them from being involved in drugs, and potentially raise their marks.
Thobekile Shabalala from Lifeline Durban, which focuses on mental and emotional health, said that they were placed in KwaDabeka SAPS in 2019.
"We provide psycho-social support to victims of domestic violence and sexual offences, trauma counselling from accident victims as well.
“Our biggest challenge is that gender-based violence victims often go back to the perpetrators and that leads us to working in circles.
“Some victims do not reveal all their issues because of fear of their families and that takes away information that would help build their case,” she said.
Claremont CPF chairperson, Sizwe Goge said the event was welcomed by the CPF as they believe that playing sport will keep the children active and away from growing crime in the area.
There have been incidents of criminals who travel in cars robbing people in the streets and breaking into people's homes and many school children who turn to drugs, he said.
Zinhle Shange from the Youth Crime Prevention Desk KZN said the march was important in getting primary school pupils together to encourage them to play sports and learn important life skills such as crossing the road safely.
Xolani Shange from Makhanya Primary School said he was in Grade 7 and plays in the centreback position; he wants to play for Sundowns when he grows up.
Captain Sibusiso Dube from the Metro Police’s Road Safety and Education division taught the curious pupils about road safety with his team.
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Daily News