“It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”: 220 Kimberley Learners Celebrated Through Collective Community Action

The spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility came alive in Kimberley as the Safer South Africa Foundation (SSAF) celebrated 220 learners from William Pescod High School and Greenpoint Secondary School at the Northern Cape Awards Ceremony of its Communities and Justice Programme (CJP).

Echoing the African proverb “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child,” the ceremony highlighted the power of collective stakeholder engagement, bringing together educators, School Governing Bodies (SGBs), community leaders, private sector partners, and civil society to empower young learners with knowledge and life skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

The CJP is designed to instil justice awareness, responsible citizenship, and financial literacy among learners from disadvantaged communities. Key contributors include the South African Police Service, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, and the Department of Correctional Services, among others. The programme continues to benefit from the support of key sector partners who contribute to its financial literacy and empowerment components.

“When communities unite around the future of their children, meaningful transformation becomes possible. The Communities and Justice Programme demonstrates that sustainable change requires shared ownership and consistent collaboration,” said Col Abraham Tsoone (Ret.), Provincial Coordinator for the Safer South Africa Foundation in the Northern Cape.

The programme’s success reflects the alignment between schools, parents, community policing forums, and private sector stakeholders who collectively contribute to safer learning environments.

“Through the Safer South Africa Program, our learners are equipped with the tools to grow into responsible, confident, and disciplined citizens. This initiative transforms lives by nurturing leadership, promoting safety awareness, and inspiring positive choices. It not only shapes the future of our learners at Greenpoint High School but also strengthens families and builds a safer, more united community. The impact of this program extends far beyond the classroom, it shapes tomorrow’s leaders today.” said Mr. DeWet McKay, SGB Secretary at Greenpoint High School.

Through this collaborative model, SSAF continues to demonstrate that building safer communities begins with equipping young people with knowledge, opportunity, and a supportive ecosystem.