The urgent need for action against school bullying in South Africa

In the quiet corridors of South African schools, a shadow is lengthening. What was once erroneously dismissed as a "rite of passage" or "children being children" has mutated into a national emergency that is claiming lives, shattering mental health, and hollowing out the future of a generation.

Recent tragedies, from the heartbreaking death of an eight-year-old in Mthatha to the viral, stomach-churning footage of "initiation rituals" at Milnerton High School, have forced a mirror in front of the nation. The reflection is grim: our schools are becoming battlegrounds, and the cost of our collective inaction is being paid in the blood and tears of our youth.

A statistics-backed crisis

The scale of the problem is no longer a matter of anecdote; it is a matter of harrowing data. According to Tina Thiart, trustee and co-founder of the 1000 Women Trust, nearly 40% of South African learners experience some form of bullying. This is not a peripheral issue affecting a few isolated individuals; it is a systemic plague.

Furthermore, the digital age has ensured that the harassment does not end when the school bell rings. One in three teenagers now faces cyberbullying—a relentless, 24-hour cycle of intimidation that follows them into the sanctuary of their homes.

Thiart said the consequences are tangible and devastating: approximately 100,000 learners "bunk" school every year purely to escape their tormentors. Perhaps most chilling is the culture of silence surrounding this abuse. Statistics reveal that 67% of learners do not report bullying because they simply do not believe the authorities—be they teachers or parents—will change their situation. When victims lose hope in the system, bullies act with absolute impunity.

From playgrounds to police stations

The incident at Milnerton High School, where a two-minute clip surfaced showing boys armed with belts and wooden logs assaulting younger pupils, has ignited a fierce debate: when does bullying cross the line into criminal behaviour?

Under South African law, the answer is clearer than many realise. As criminal lawyer Bruce Hendricks notes, assault is defined as the "unlawful and intentional application of force to another person." Whether it is a slap or a brutal beating with a hockey stick, these are not "schoolyard scuffles"—they are criminal acts. While "bullying" itself is not a specific statutory crime, the manifestations of it—assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH), crimen injuria (the impairment of dignity), and intimidation—are punishable under the law.

The suspension of eight learners in the Milnerton case, six of whom were granted bail while facing charges of Assault GBH, sends a necessary, albeit belated, message: the school uniform does not shield students from the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The psychological toll: silent scars

Beyond the visible bruises of physical assault lie the "silent scars" mentioned by Thiart. April marks Stress Awareness Month, a timely reminder that for many children, stress is a lived, daily reality driven by relentless harassment. The link between bullying and youth suicide is no longer a theoretical concern; the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has highlighted bullying as a primary risk factor for suicide-related behaviours.

Victims suffer from long-term psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, which impairs academic achievement and social development. When a child is humiliated, isolated, and intimidated, their fundamental right to an education is effectively revoked. As the political party ActionSA  noted in response to the Mthatha tragedy, when schools fail to act decisively, they fail in their fundamental duty to protect the children entrusted to their care.

A call for a 'survivor-centred" culture

If we are to arrest this slide into chaos, the solution must be as systemic as the problem. The 1000 Women Trust and other advocacy groups are calling for a shift toward survivor-centred anti-bullying policies. This means moving beyond vague codes of conduct and implementing rigorous reporting mechanisms where the victim’s safety is the absolute priority.

However, the responsibility does not rest solely on the shoulders of educators. A "whole-of-community" approach is required. Thiart said Government and Civil Society must prioritise bullying prevention as part of the broader strategy to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide.

"Parents and Caregivers must move past the "boys will be boys" trope and engage in radical transparency with their children regarding online safety and physical boundaries.While accountability is vital, the legal system must also utilise the Child Justice Act to ensure that young offenders are rehabilitated and held responsible without being permanently discarded by society," Thiart said.

The antidote to the scourge

The ultimate goal is the establishment of an "anti-bully culture." This is a school environment where every learner is fully informed of their rights and the specific mechanisms available for reporting abuse.

We cannot afford to wait for the next viral video or the next tragic funeral to take action. Bullying is a public health crisis that robs our children of their dignity and, far too often, their lives. We must amplify survivor voices, mobilise our communities, and ensure that every school in South Africa is a sanctuary, not a cell.

The 1000 Women Trust invites all stakeholders to join the fight. By sending a simple "Hi" to 873 731 585 on WhatsApp, parents and teachers can access free anti-bullying training. The time for silent observation is over; the time for intervention is now.

Weekend Argus