TZANEEN: Little Vikwane’s courage earns him a big title
Dynamite comes in small packages, Tzaneen's junior crime fighter, Vikwane, is 'appointed' Junior Cluster Commander.
A grade 8 learner from the SAPS Maake Policing area under Tzaneen Cluster had the courage to not let his disabilities determine his future and entered for Junior Commissioner Project Debate which was held on Tuesday last week.
Vikwane Mohale competed alongside 27 other local learners for the Junior Cluster Commander position.
Mohale then went on to represent Tzaneen at a provincial level on Monday but despite his best efforts, he was not successful in winning the provincial title.
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Now at the National Youth Summit Mohale was rubbing shoulders with our National Commissioner, Minister of Police and many more.
To add to his courage, The National Commissioner even got him a body guard to take good care of him at the summit.
The aim of the competition was to get learners to discuss crime in their schools and their communities.
As the Tzaneen Cluster encompasses seven police stations, one learner from four schools around each station was selected to represent their school.
A total of 28 children therefore came together to present, discuss and debate the crime challenges experienced within the cluster.
Of the 28 competitors, the top six learners were selected to receive a certificate of acknowledgement for their awareness of crime and social ills in their school and wider community.
It was difficult for the panel of judges to select just one child to win from the Tzaneen cluster and so two learners ended up taking joint first place, one whom was Vikwane Mohale.
The larger aim of the event was to create awareness about crime and create a safe and secure learning environment that is free from violence, crime and drugs.
The event aimed to develop leaders who will uphold the morals and principles of our society, nurture leadership development among young people and promote problem solving initiatives by young people on matters relating to crime at schools and in communities.
The participating learners shared their perceptions towards crime and personal experiences of crime and violence in schools.
One issue raised is the lack of security on school premises, with one suggestion being that security services are put in place and police and social workers should frequently be utilised in schools to ensure that all crimes and violence are prevented.
Additional concerns were lack of reporting of incidences and a framework of how to report issues was suggested.
