​On Saturday, 24th September 2022, the Gauteng Department of Social Development through its school, psychosocial support services unit hosted a learner’s regional leadership Seminar at Meyerton Community Hall. 
This is to upskill young boys and girls between the ages of 16-19 years old from various schools in the Vaal on leadership skills. 

According to the Social Work Supervisor Patricia Malinga, the seminar aimed to transform and shape the future of young people while they are still in school and to develop confidence, insight, and skills in school learners so that they are ready to lead changes in their lives. It also seeks to give learners an insight into leadership and resilience. 

“We aim to mould these young boys and girls to become better people in future, we want to instil to them the spirit of resilience and hard work, we are here to say to them, your future is in your hand. We hope that learners not only learn valuable leadership skills but also develop a more global perspective”, said Malinga. 

As much as we want to educate and empower learners with skills to deal with bullying and other forms of gender-based violence in their schools, we also want them to be part of the solution on what can be done to address their challenges”, she added . 

A grade 12 learner, Palesa Mofokeng (16) from Fundulwazi Secondary School in Sebokeng, encouraged fellow learners to be resilient, patient, and embrace each other in every circumstance. She described resilience and courage as a great recipe for success. 

Another grade 12 learner Samkelo Nkosi (17) from Vaal High School said most of the schools in Vaal are infested with challenges of gangsterism and bullying but he is optimistic that sessions like leadership seminars that the department has brought in their area can help change violent behaviour in schools. 

“Bullying is problematic because it affects people in different ways, when you are being bullied, you can feel constantly insecure. Even if you’re not actively being bullied, you’re aware it could start anytime. It has a big mental and emotional impact, sometimes it makes people feel unaccepted, isolated, angry, and withdrawn”