The newly launched KwaZulu-Natal School Safety Programme has received the backing of crime-fighters and stakeholders in the province. 

KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said the comprehensive, youth-led school safety programme will: 

• Recruit and capacitate Student Ambassadors to champion safety, dignity, and accountability in every school.
• Empower young leaders to drive conversations on gender-based violence, bullying, drug abuse, and other risks, while creating confidential reporting channels for learners.
• Strengthen security infrastructure, including installing CCTV cameras in 20 schools across King Cetshwayo, eThekwini, and Amajuba districts.
• Integrate arts, culture, and sport—from poetry to debates—as tools for prevention, awareness, and positive social messaging.

The programme was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding among the Departments of Community Safety and Liaison, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, and the South African Police Service. 

Ntuli said that government alone cannot succeed.

“School safety is a collective responsibility. Communities must guard against vandalism and crime. Parents must remain present and guide their children. Learners, your voices matter—your leadership matters. You are not only beneficiaries of this programme; you are its champions.”

“Let us join hands—government, educators, parents, communities, and learners—to build a KwaZulu-Natal where every school is a safe haven, every learner is respected, and every community proudly nurtures its future leaders.” 

Spiritual Crime Prevention acting chairperson Bishop Sibusiso Mbuyazi highlighted the importance of the programme as they have seen what is happening in schools.

“Children are fighting, killing one another, and becoming involved in drugs. 

“That means the community needs to be involved to restore the intended educational outcomes,” Mbuyazi said. 

“Bringing the school safety programme with the cameras will also significantly reduce the number of incidents.” 

Mbuyazi said most schools are plagued by break-ins and theft. 

He said the programme, in his view, is the most important, as it involves everyone.

KZN Community Policing Forum (CPF) secretary Siyanda Biyela said there must be an integrated and collaborative approach to crime prevention.

“The education sector faces unique challenges, including attacks on children in school and children assaulting principals and teachers. Another challenge is school infrastructure vandalism.” 

“Our call is that the community has a role to play, all sectors have a role to play, hence the Premier now is emphasising that everyone has a role to play in ensuring that teaching and learning are done and happen within the safe environment that we must promote as the community,” Biyela said. 

“There are external factors that we must deal with. The issue of faction fights, which occur outside school premises but influence chaos inside, must also be dealt with. That’s why we call upon izinduna and amakhosi to also play a role in ensuring that they keep calm in our communities.”

Biyela also called on parents to play their role and support the school and the school management. 

National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) KZN chief executive officer Thirona Moodley, said they fully support the Premier’s vision of building safer, stronger, and more prosperous communities, starting with schools.

She advocated for initiatives that empower learners as safety ambassadors, strengthen infrastructure, and integrate arts, culture and sport. This holistic approach addresses the root causes of violence, bullying and substance abuse.

“We also strongly support the Premier’s emphasis that school safety is a collective responsibility. Educators cannot carry this burden alone. Parents, learners, communities, unions, government departments and the South African Police Service must all play their part,” Moodley said. 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

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