Say no to bullying

Keanan Cavanagh, a South African kickboxing champion from Pretoria, told Parkdene Primary school learners that he was bullied in primary school. "I took a decision that I was going to do something about what was happening to me and took up a martial art." Cavanagh was speaking at an anti-bullying campaign held by the municipality's Department of Gender and Disability in Parkdene on Monday 10 December. Cavanagh said as he was training and growing stronger he learned to keep his cool and turn the other cheek when confronted. "It wasn't easy but it can be done." Cllr Sean Snyman and the head of the SA Sports League, Sean Norris, addressed the learners with one message addressing bullying is a priority.

The organiser of the event, Ejustley Boshoff-Landers, said the council will tackle the bullying scourge in schools in the new year.

Photos: Myron Rabinowitz Role players at the anti-bullying campaign. Front, from left: Milise Blaauw, Ejustley BoshoffLanders (organiser), Agnes Mntuwenda, Nozipho Stone and Simone van Tonder. Back: kickboxers Keagan Rowe and Josh Norris, Cllr Sean Snyman, kickboxers Keanan Cavanagh and Chayse Norris, and Sean Norris of the SA Sports League.

Four of South Africa’s kickboxing champions were at the anti-bullying session. From left:Keagan Rowe and Keanan Cavanagh from Pretoria, with Josh and Chayse Norris from George.