Cape Town - The People Against Gangsterism and Drugs rocked up at Trafalgar High School in District Six, “daring” youngsters to use drugs.
“If you do, we will come after you,” warned Pagad leader Abdus Salaam Ebrahim.
“If you are committing a crime, wherever you are, we will stand against you.
“We will no longer allow our young, our families, to be victims of drugs and gangsterism.”
Trafalgar High on Monday launched its own crime-fighting campaign – The Drug, Gangsterism and Bullying Programme – and brought in the big guns including Pagad, the police and even the producers of the film Four Corners to talk to pupils.
Principal Nadeem Hendricks said that the point of their annual campaign is to give children the skills and tools to deal with life.
“Education cannot just be about how well you pass geography, but it has to be equipped with lessons on how to handle life and everything that goes with it,” said Hendricks.
Ebrahim didn’t crack a smile when he addressed the teenagers: “We are here to remind you that you, the youth, are the future of this nation.
“Only you can improve the country and bring a positive change, but you have to make that choice.
“We are not here to mess around,” he added.
Ebrahim said drugs affected everyone differently, but nobody could just walk away from it.
“Anyone can be addicted and it will kill you or the ones you love,” he said.
“Be vigilant in your communities. Say no to crime and become the leaders, as you should be, of our country.”
Pagad spokesman Asmal Toefy said that they have a special schools programme, and regularly give talks at schools.
On Monday he pleaded with pupils not to “besmirch” the proud Trafalgar traditions.
“My kids went to school here and they turned out very well. This school has a legacy and you need to promote and embrace that greatness to become great yourselves,” said Toefy.
Principal Hendricks said that they will focus on bullying, drugs and gangsterism this week, and next week this will shift to Random Acts of Kindness (RAK).
“I encourage other schools to take up the challenge,” he said.
Daily Voice