As published by Ntombi Nkosi in the African Times
Civil society movement NotInMyName International has sounded the alarm over a surge in violent bullying incidents across South African schools, saying the wave of abuse is leaving learners traumatised and pushing the education system into a state of moral collapse.
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The organisation released a powerful statement on Tuesday condemning the brutal culture of intimidation festering in schools, particularly in Mamelodi (Pretoria), the Eastern Cape, and Vaal townships, where recent reports detail physical assaults, verbal harassment, and suicide attempts stemming from bullying.
“This is a national emergency. No child should fear walking into a classroom,” said Themba Masango, Secretary-General of NotInMyName International. “The levels of abuse in schools amount to psychological terrorism. We cannot continue to treat this as normal.”
The organisation said bullying — whether physical, verbal, social, or online — is destroying self-esteem, derailing academic performance, and in some cases, driving victims to self-harm and suicide.
A string of high-profile cases have drawn attention to the severity of the issue: In Mamelodi East, a Grade 9 learner was hospitalised after being beaten by classmates in a school bathroom last week. He had previously reported being harassed on WhatsApp and mocked in class, to no avail. In Kariega (Eastern Cape), cellphone footage of a teenage girl being slapped repeatedly while others filmed and laughed sparked outrage.
The incident took place inside a classroom, with a teacher reportedly present. In Sharpeville (Vaal), a 13-year-old boy attempted suicide in July after being bullied over his appearance and sexuality. He survived and is receiving trauma counselling.
In Khayelitsha (Western Cape), a learner was stabbed with scissors in June during an argument reportedly triggered by persistent bullying about his rural accent.
These disturbing incidents are only the tip of the iceberg. According to Basic Education Department (DBE) data, more than 22,000 cases of school-based violence and bullying were reported in 2024 — translating to nearly two assaults per hour during the school day.
A 2023 study by Save the Children South Africa found that 1 in 3 learners has experienced bullying, with an alarming rise in cyberbullying on platforms such as TikTok and WhatsApp.
In response to mounting public pressure, the Department of Basic Education has urged stakeholders — including parents, teachers, governing bodies, and community leaders — to rally behind its efforts to make schools safer.
“The DBE is urging various education stakeholders to unite against bullying in schools in order to create an environment that is conducive to learning,” the Department said in a recent statement.
To this end, the DBE has implemented the National School Safety Framework (NSSF), designed to help schools manage safety risks and promote a culture of respect and protection. The framework includes training for educators, identification of high-risk learners, and the development of school safety plans.
“Improving quality learning and teaching begins with ensuring that our schools are safe. The NSSF is a tool to guide that process,” said the department in a statement.
However, NotInMyName insists that policy alone is not enough.
“We welcome frameworks, but without implementation, they are paper promises,” said Masango. “Our children are bleeding. We need real-time interventions, accountability, and healing.”
NotInMyName has proposed a five-point plan to tackle bullying, including: Immediate interventions at affected schools, with disciplinary action where appropriate. Review and enforcement of anti-bullying policies aligned with the South African Schools Act. Access to trauma counselling and psychological support for victims and perpetrators. Community mobilisation, including faith-based and cultural leaders, and Teacher training and the creation of Ubuntu-rooted school cultures.
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The movement also plans to launch #SafeSchoolsNow, a nationwide anti-bullying campaign in September. This will include peer education, workshops in townships and rural areas, and open dialogues between schools and communities.
“Children don’t become bullies in isolation,” Masango added. “This stems from broken homes, violent neighbourhoods, and a lack of role models. It’s a societal issue. That’s why we need collective healing, not just punishment.”
Schools Must Not Be War Zones
NotInMyName warned that unless serious action is taken, the crisis could deepen existing inequalities in education and rob South Africa’s youth of a safe and dignified schooling experience.
“Many learners, especially in poor communities, already face overcrowding, infrastructure collapse, and teacher shortages,” said education psychologist Professor Thuli Maseko. “Add unchecked bullying to the mix, and the system becomes hostile to learning itself.”
Parents have also expressed frustration at being kept in the dark.
“My daughter was being tormented for months before I found out,” said a mother from Mdantsane. “The school only called when she fainted. We need transparency and real engagement.”
End the Silence
NotInMyName concluded its statement by expressing solidarity with victims and families who have spoken out, many of whom still face stigma or retaliation.
“We stand with every learner whose cries have been ignored. #NotInMyName shall we allow our children to be terrorised in spaces meant for their development. We demand safe schools now.”
As the country waits to see how authorities respond, pressure is mounting for the DBE to not only talk about frameworks — but to deliver change where it matters most: the classroom.
This article has been published in partnership with the African Times.
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