Wynberg High School (WHS) and Wynberg Police Station have joined forces to promote safety and “ubuntu” among the community they serve.
The initiative includes the Wynberg Police Junior Representative Programme as well as the WHS Ambassadors Programme. The first sees learners forming part of a committee to promote safety and security in Wynberg while the second serves as a platform to uplift and inspire.
At present, seven Grade 8 learners have taken on the role of being WHS ambassadors. Each of the seven has been assigned a specific role: Melchezedik Tafari (Junior Station Commander), Laylah Abdullah (Junior Vispol Commander), Tyler Davids (Assistant Junior Vision Commander) and Haley Regter (Events/Project Manager), Luke Fisher and Akhulile Mphathi (Assistant Event/Project Manager) and Cassidy Sias (Secretary).
Mduduzi Nyembe, Head of Department at the school, said the motto of the Ambassadors Programme is “To serve, not to be served”.
He said not only is this an opportunity to develop learners’ leadership skills, but the programme also further instills a sense of responsibility and duty in young learners.
“This is an incredible approach to teach learners responsibility by giving back and making a difference in our community.”
A recent project focused on feeding the homeless and hungry in Wynberg.
In future, the ambassadors plan to implement several projects, including hosting tea for the elderly, visiting neighbourhood primary schools to tackle anti-bullying initiatives, providing palliative care and working with Wynberg police and councillors on community projects.
“These projects are great ways to build community relationships and address important issues in the area,” said Nyembe.
Carmen Siebritz, councillor for Ward 63, visited the school on Tuesday 13 June to meet the Grade 8 ambassadors.
“The meeting was even more special because this is the very school I matriculated at years ago,” she said.
The councillor described the ambassadors as “the cutest, most dynamic and most of all passionate team of learners I’ve met”.
She said she believed the youth of yesteryear and those of today are very different.
“An example would be that when I was a learner back then we did not have as much support as the current learners have. We were often left to figure things out for ourselves, but also reminded that whatever choices we make will one day, either negatively or positively, affect our lives.”
Siebritz said she encouraged the youth to put themselves out there.
“If you win you may lead. If you lose, you may guide.”
