Bulumko High pupils complete crime prevention programme

“Parents, support and love your children. The reason your child will listen to outsiders is only because they do not get enough support at home.”

This was the message from Sergeant Xolisa Nyalambisa, from Lingelethu police station, addressing the parents of the 100 pupils from Bulumko High School, in Khayelitsha, who were awarded certificates for participating in a crime prevention programme by the Safer South Africa Foundation.

She told parents their children should be at school by 7.50am. She said she finds pupils sitting in the park at 9am and, as the parent of a 15 year old, she makes sure she sends them to school.

“Parents, our children sometimes lose their sense of behaviour once they leave home. They come under peer pressure and copy bad habits from other children, so please give your child a hug every day before they leave the house, that hug goes a long way, it builds strength, stamina and self confidence.”

Sergeant Nyalambisa said children will seek attention outside of their homes because they are neglected by their parents.

“When your children do well in school please compliment them, and if they didn’t do well do not compare them to negative things because they might end up losing confidence and associate themselves with that negativity.”

She warned the parents that if they don't give enough love and care to their children, other people out there would exploit this and this could lead to human trafficking and domestic violence in their relationships.

“You must know that police are not here only to make arrests, but we are also here to empower parents. No parent wants to see his/her child getting arrested, but if you see that your children are involved with smoking, take them to the police station and ask for the social crime office. In that office we are not there to arrest your child because he/she is smoking, we are there to strengthen his/her wellbeing. A child should not be arrested for minor things that we could have prevented, we go an extra mile for parents but in order for you to know and understand you must come out of your comfort zone and come to our comfort zone. Not all police are ruthless, the only way to find out is when you knock on that door of the police,” said Sergeant Nyalambisa.

Bulumko High School pupil, Kuhle Phalaza, said he was proud to be one of those who graduated from the Safer South Africa Foundation programme. He said the programme was a fun, educational and inspiring experience.

“We have learned a lot in this programme about crime prevention and careers under security clusters. At Bulumko, which is a school that has a lot of crime, such as vandalism, drug possession and distribution, we are honoured and privileged to have such a programme”.

He then thanked the Safer South African Foundation and their partners for the role they played at the school.

Another pupil Lindokuhle Xhakane thanked the foundation for choosing their school.

“I want to take a moment and send heartfelt gratitude to each and every one that created and implemented this invaluable crime prevention programme. Your dedication to empower our community with knowledge, skills to stay safe and prevent crime in our community has helped us a lot.

“Your life matters, it is a very important gift, and it matters how we manage and appreciate the beauty of it.”

Former police National Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, the the CEO of the Safer South Africa Foundation, told the pupils that they must be proud of themselves and cherish their lives.

Bulumko High School principal Gideon Skweyiya said they are grateful to Safer South Africa Foundation for bringing the programme to the school.

He said he wished the programme could be made available to all schools.