This group of Heideveld mothers gather every morning at the gate of Heideveld High School to pray for the pupils there. This, after their concern about pupils smoking dagga on their way to school, and drug dealing taking place near the school.
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Hazel Allies Husselman
Heideveld and Lansdowne residents have expressed concern that pupils at two high schools in their respective areas, smoke dagga while on their way to school.
In Heideveld, a group of women, supported by the neighbourhood watch and Law Enforcement decided eight weeks ago, to gather outside the Heideveld High School's gate to pray for the pupils there.
According to resident, John Goliath, their concern was not only for the pupils who smoke dagga on their way to school but also drug dealing that took place close to the school. He said the drug peddlers targeted the pupils to sell illegal substances.
"The area near the school became almost like a marketplace for drugs. I am a member of the Waterberg Neighbourhood Watch and this became a big concern to us. We then partnered with some churches in the community to find a way to resolve this, and since then, mothers and grandmothers have been gathering here from 7am every school morning to pray for the learners. Since the initiative started eight weeks ago, we are already seeing a positive difference," Mr Goliath said.
Beryl Smith described their group as concerned mothers from various churches, including Bullwalk Ministries, Fairhaven Pentecostal Church, The Father's House, Maranatha, and the Heideveld Outreach Ministries Gospel Centre, who are there to encourage the pupils with positive affirmations and prayer.
"We trust the Lord for wonderful things. We not only pray for the children, but we speak to their parents also. Some of the teachers also join us in the morning for prayer. We are armies of the Lord, and we speak to the children with love and kindness. Sometimes mothers approach us to share their difficulties about their children's drug use. I believe our prayers are not in vain. We even give them hugs. Over the past eight weeks, we have seen the positive changes. Die Here maak mooi dinge. Die gehoorsaamheid is daar," Ms Smith said.
Mr Goliath said since this initiative started, the drug peddling near the school has stopped.
"Sadly, this could also mean that they have moved their business to other parts of Heideveld," he added.
In Lansdowne, residents said they are concerned about an increase in children smoking dagga while on their way to Groenvlei High School.
Resident Kurt Thompson said the pupils do it out in the open and seem to have little concern about who sees them or the repercussions.
"They are normally in groups, and when you speak to them, they have this attitude of 'who are you to tell me?' They have a total disregard and lack of respect. In the afternoon, large groups of them walk on the road, and drivers have to make way for them. I have met with the school and they said they would address these issues. I'm not sure if they did that, but what I can say, is this is an ongoing issue.
Shaheem Hendricks, another resident, said some of them loiter in front of residents' homes while smoking dagga.
"I saw a group recently sitting outside a house and smoking dagga. When I asked them to move, they told me it's not my house. I told them I am part of the street committee and it is my duty to look out for my community and they started becoming rude with me," Mr Hendricks said.
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, said all schools have a code of conduct which is adopted by the School Governing Body (SGB).
"It is recommended that the code of conduct includes a list of offences. The list can include offences such as smoking in and off-premises, disrespect or insolent behaviour, as well as “any action which brings the school’s name into disrepute”. If learners are behaving in a manner that puts the school and its name into disrepute or transgresses the code of conduct, then they could face disciplinary action. Depending on the evidence presented, the school can institute disciplinary proceedings," she said.