A junior police commissioner workshop took place in Saldanha on Tuesday 29 March.
The purpose of the workshop was to share more on what the purpose and the role of the junior police commissioners are and to prepare the West Coast team for functioning within the West Coast.
During the workshop Constable Merelda Abrahams, Provincial Safer Schools coordinator, shared what the vision and mission of the junior police commissioner project are.
She said it aims to create a safe and learning environment free from violence and drugs for the development of leaders. Its mission is to prevent crime and violence in schools by involving learners to address the issues.
The West Coast representative and junior cluster commander, Asandiswa Nganga (17), from Saldanha, shared more on her vision for safer schools and how these can be achieved.
She said her job as junior cluster commander is to help her community and the greater West Coast, and create awareness through hosting campaigns.
To make things more exciting a fun activity was presented by Jakkelsfontein Ministries.
Esmarelda Mckay from Government Communication Information System (GCIS) and One Billion Rising addressed the issue of gender-based violence and bullying. She is impressed by women coming to the fore as junior commissioners. She also suggested an anti-bullying campaign, which can be promoted at high schools on the West Coast. “A safe space can be opened up for children where such experiences can be spoken about. It will feed into their ideas on how bullying can be addressed.
Mcckay told Weslander it is important that stakeholders all round join forces to create safer spaces and environments for children.
