Ex-convict seeks to save learners from life of crime

Unruly learners that bully others, do drugs and carry dangerous weapons to school risk their future going down the drain unless they get help.

Ex-offender Tsiane Phakedi, founder of #Hashtag Operation Lukisa Sgela, said such learners desperately need help and “we will need almost everyone to come on board to help them”.

He said during the #Hashtag Operation Lukisa Sgela programme, “We spend two weeks at a school discussing the problem of drug-use, bullying and carrying of dangerous weapons”.

He said #Hashtag Operation Lukisa Sgela is a drugs must-fall programme he started while serving time in prison.

“We are working with police, correctional services, wardens, and the CPF.

This is part of giving back to the community, and the programme I helped start in prison. I realised the problem started at school,” said Phakedi.

The programme makes sure that learners no longer bunk class, don’t do drugs, stop carrying weapons to school, arrive on time and respect teachers.

“We are here to make sure that the learners follow the code of conduct and help them make the right life decisions,” he said.

Operation Lukisa Sgela visits all primary and high schools in Mamelodi and spends two weeks at each helping out.

“The aim of the programme was to make learners aware of the impact of bullying, drug use, and carrying dangerous weapons,” Phakedi said.

“The idea of working together helps because different stakeholders have their own skills and knowledge towards eradicating the issue of drugs, especially in schools.

When it comes to bullying, we made sure learners are aware of the impact bullying has on the life and future of the victims.”

He further pleaded with parents to come on board so together they could help the learners make the right life decisions.

“There is a lot that needs to be done at our local school and we frisk search learners before they enter school premises.

We have learners who are found in possession of drugs and dangerous weapons, others threaten teachers with violence,” he said.

He said there has been a lot of progress at Jafta Mahlangu Secondary School, where the programme was launched.

“We no longer have learners who are roaming around during school hours,” he said.

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