Millions of pupils in anti-rape pledge

CAPE ARGUS

President Jacob Zuma signs the pledge in Mitchells Plain. To his left is LeadSAs Yusuf Abramjee. Photo: Tracey Adams

Cape Town - On Friday, 10.2 million school pupils were to read out an anti-rape and abuse pledge in assemblies across South Africa, a day after President Jacob Zuma launched the Stop Rape Campaign in Mitchells Plain.

At the launch, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga expressed concern about bullying in schools and said the bullies of today were going to become the abusers of tomorrow.

The launch took place at Glendale Secondary School.

The campaign is a partnership between LeadSA and the Department of Basic Education.

Motshekga said the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study had “picked up a high level of bullying in our schools”.

“So this campaign should help us to get our schools to focus on bullying. Both the abusers and the abused may become abusers. The culture of violence has to come to an end.”

Zuma urged pupils to report all cases of rape, sexual assault and violence to the police.

“Together we must say that abusers, murderers and rapists should face the full might of the law. In addition, we must support the victims of sexual crimes to rebuild their shattered lives. They need the love and understanding of families, relatives, friends and neighbours,” he said.

Motshekga said the horrific rape of Anene Booysen in Bredasdorp and the continued violence against children couldn’t be left unchecked.

“Like the president rightly said, we need the support of all stakeholders and the general public in turning the tide against gender-based violence in this country. Hence the collective rage in the country has to be turned into tangible action.”

The pledge has been sent to schools nationwide. They have been asked to adopt it at assemblies.

ilse.fredericks@inl.co.za

Cape Argus