Majita Asiringeni helps traumatised Alex teenagers to use words not fists
South Africa’s 2022 crime statistics reveal a 58,4% change in violent assault crimes against children (0–17 years). If not dealt with early, this and other deeply-rooted trauma often manifests into anger and self-esteem issues, toxic masculinity and other unmanaged behavioural challenges among teenagers.
Rays of Hope has started an anger management programme in Alexandra called Majita Asiringeni (Boys Let’s Talk) which is part of a realisation of the growing concern and need to manage the crisis through a preventative approach.
The pilot programme, funded by The Solidarity Fund in response to the July 2021 riots, started with the boys who regularly attend the Teenage Boys Support Group and expanded into several schools to offer an initial eight-week programme to 60 young boys struggling to manage their anger and emotional trauma.
“We realised there’s so much unresolved bitterness and aggression among the youth, especially among the teenage boys in the schools. These children don’t have an outlet for their pent-up emotions, so they drink, smoke, and resort to violence,” said Bertha Muchadeyi, a programme manager at Rays of Hope.
“So, we took the initiative and focused on designing a preventative programme that will allow us to walk this journey of healing with them, and not just focus on solving the issue in the short term but provide a lifelong solution that changes the behaviours of an entire generation.”
Majita Asiringeni is trying to raise a violence-free generation by working with boys from a young age. The programme says this approach is more effective than starting the healing process when they’re older because their trauma becomes more challenging to manage, and interventions don’t often work.
The programme uses a manual recommended to the team by the Chicago School of Professional Psychology comprising workbooks that focus on teen conflict management, communication skills, aggression and bullying, teen resilience, and self-esteem. The manuals have already helped teenagers in the programme acknowledge that they need help and that there’s a root cause for their behaviour.
In addition to using the manuals, Majita Asiringeni also provides teenagers with an indoor and outdoor gym facility that they can use as an outlet for their anger. This is especially beneficial for young men who struggle to verbalise their emotions, providing an alternative way to release their aggression.
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