Ubuntu, the panacea to bullying
Providence Moyo
Women have hailed the spirit of Ubuntu as a trump card to curbing violent behaviour amongst youths in the country.
This came out during a virtual stakeholder engagement hosted by Amakhosikazi Media under the theme “Bullying culture amongst our youths in Zimbabwe,” on Amakhosikazi Chat Room, a Whatsapp platform.
Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning ‘humanity to others.’ Ubuntu has its roots in humanist African philosophy, where the idea of community is one of the building blocks of society.
One participant Debra said “Ubuntu buqakathekile. Nxa sikhulisa abantwana bethu asibakhuliseni ngendlela elobuntu sibafundise indlela ezinzileyo sibalaye sinanzelela lendlela esikhuluma ngayo phambili kwabantwana ngoba bathatha imfundiso zethu bahambe lazo. Bullying traits are built up over time and children sometimes learn it from elders that can be parents, guardians or community members.
Psychologist, Mkhwebu Malinga said parents should monitor foreign cultural products that their children consume copiously. She said television programmes and the internet have an effect in moulding and grooming children.
Gugulethu Dube, a counsellor weighed in by advocating for police patrols around school premises
“In the 1990s there were police patrolling the streets as part of beat patrol according to the police service charter, we also had some police manning schools and helping children to cross the street. This greatly curbed gang related bullying and territorial wars due to heavy police presence. Unfortunately, our police presence has greatly dwindled to a point of non existence to assist with such issues,” she said.
Last week , a 15 year old male from Hammilton High allegedly committed suicide after complaining about bullying at the school. One of his friends who used to protect him against bullies had left for another school.
Another bullying scenario claimed the life of a 16 year old male from Founders High last month after he was stabbed by a Hamilton High male pupil.
