Wrestlers tackle fight against bullying, drug abuse in schools
Nelson Mandela Bay’s Champions Pro Wrestling (CPW) will be anticipating a clean finish when tackling the fight against bullying and drug abuse at high schools around the city this week.
The anti-bully and drug initiatives are part of the Wrestle Monster event, which is held in partnership with the department of education.
The two-day outreach programmes will take place on Friday and Saturday at Sakhisizwe High (Zwide), McCarthy Comprehensive (Kariega), Paterson High (Schauderville) and BJ Mnyanda Primary (Kwazakhele).
CPW owner Mark Beale said they had roped in CPW world wrestling champion Mr Wrestling, whose real name is Freddie Harmse, to headline the campaign.
“We have the Wrestle Monster Extravaganza every year and it draws thousands of people to the metro,” Beale said.
“Wrestling supports all race groups in SA.
“A few years ago we realised that children sometimes have motivational speakers that come to their schools, but they are not listening.
“So we thought of taking international superstars in our line of work to go to schools across SA to push the campaign.
“We have filled up school halls the CPW anti-bullying and anti-drug campaign is hugely attended.
“We try to install positivity in children’s minds to say: you do not have to be a victim of your circumstances.
“You can come out and be different, and victory starts with what is in my head to say ‘I don’t have to be a victim of my circumstances’.
“That is why we got Mr Wrestling on board to speak to these young kids.”
Over the past four years, Beale said, they had achieved great success.
“We want to take it to another level and that is what we are busy discussing with the government,” Beale said.
“The whole idea is to say to people there is an alternative
you don’t have to sell drugs [or] have drug dealers as your superheroes.
“Your superhero can be yourself.
“You can become the change that you want in your life.
“We have realised the impact that we as wrestlers have on kids’ lives.
“We love what we are doing inside the ring, but also let us give back to society.
“This is part of that Wrestle Monster programme, our social responsibility programme, and for us this comes from the heart.”