BONTEHEUWEL High School will run a series of programmes to mark Youth Month in an effort to unite learners and protect the school from the threats of gangsterism and drugs.
The school has partnered with the Cape Cultural Collective and various community organisations to prepare for the events, that will include a procession, a placard demonstration, a cultural programme and the screening of Action Kommandant, the story of former learner and student activist Ashley Kriel.
The school will have a symbolic tribute to Ashley Kriel, who was murdered by apartheid police 35 years ago. The school will also pay tribute to other generations of freedom fighters who made sacrifices and, in some cases, lost their lives.
The cultural programme will feature various artists and groups mainly from the school but also from the community. It will take place on June 15 and will be attended by learners, parents and representatives of local schools and community structures from Bonteheuwel and Langa. The central themes for the month are ‘Take back our school’ and ‘Unite the school community’.
Bonteheuwel High School will be hosting weekly talks by various speakers on a range of topics, including understanding diversity, fighting gender-based violence and the challenges of drug abuse and depression, among others.
‘These programmes will lay the foundation for ongoing efforts to ensure that the school is a place for quality learning; where anti-social conduct will not be tolerated,’ said Mrs Nicola Pather, the school principal. ‘We will make efforts to unite all learners in the face of instances where racial intolerance rears its ugly head from time to time,’ she added.
The chairperson of the school governing body (SGB), Ms Joanne Lewis, said that the SGB affirms and supports the mission of ‘Taking back our schools’. ‘Very important are the challenges to equip, upskill, empower and strengthen learners’ ability to find sustainable solutions for the challenges in our community and the country at large,’ she said.
The Cape Cultural Collective said it was honoured to be part of the initiative. ‘The arts have the power to unite and encourage positive actions,’ said Elizabeth Schutter, from the Cape Cultural Collective. Other organisations participating in the programme include the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies, the Amy Foundation, Beitulmaal and the Ashley Kriel Skills Development Centre.
- For further details email: bheuwelhs@mweb.co.za or call 021 694 4654.
Issued by Bonteheuwel High School
