1. AfriForum’s anti-bullying guide (only in Afrikaans)

AfriForum’s anti-bullying guide helps learners to grasp the meaning and impact of bullying by comparing it to an ugly, irritable and bullying giant. This metaphor will help children to grasp the role that they play in bullying, whether they are typically the targets, the bystanders or the bullies themselves – or even a combination of all three categories. The role of bystanders are especially important. The guide is aimed at helping children to understand the power of bystanders: To become allies for one another and to stand up for themselves and others. The guide helps them to realise that they can learn to become emphatic; it teaches them to become involved in good and friendly deeds and how to stand up against bullies. It is important to start the create this awareness in children first, because they can act as agents of change to make a further change in society.

As adult, you can share the content of the guide with your child/children by discussing it with them.

May our children learn to cherish their identities and to treat others with respect. Our children are the leaders of tomorrow: our country’s future. You as parent or teacher have an enormous impact in our children’s lives. Teach them to shine their little lights brightly in the dark world outside, so that they can make a difference in other children’s lives. Teach them to build rather than break down their friends. We are all unique and selected!

Download the anti-bullying guide here (only in Afrikaans).

2. Cyberbullying guide

Technology is developing every day. The same is true of children’s ability to bully. Bullying, which was once conned to the
school grounds or the school bus, has since extended to include bullying through technology and on social media. This is known
as cyberbullying. Children’s need to communicate with their friends is still the same; however, the ways in which they choose to
communicate with one another has changed considerably. From an early age, children are asking for electronic devices such as
cell phones, tablets or games. It does not stop there, however, because they also want access to certain social media platforms
to play online games or to share personal information. There are many benets to the internet and social media, but there are also
just as many dangers and cons – especially when it comes to our children and their safety.

Download the Cyberbullying guide here

3. Resource guide for the COVID-19 lockdown and other times of crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic brought South Africa to a standstill, just like in the rest of the world. Not only does it have a major impact on the physical health of adults and, but it may also have a significant on their emotional well-being. In these uncertain times everyone attempts to adapt to this new “normal”.

AfriForum decided to cooperate with Impact Therapy Centre by translating the guide compiled by the psychologist Ashleigh Yaman. This guide is important because it empowers children and adults (parents and teachers) with techniques to manage times of anxiety and overwhelmed feelings. In such times, frustration increases and anxiety levels rise extraordinarily high. The fact that it cannot be ascertained with certainty when the virus and its impact will come to an end poses great challenges to everyone’s emotional well-being. That is why it is good to have a guide such as this one. We are therefore thankful to be working in this way with Ashleigh Yaman and Impact Therapy Centre. Thank you! This guide will be usable even in the post-COVID-19 ere when adults will have to pick up the pieces. They may become overwhelmed if they have to start working again or have to find work. Schools, teachers and learners will possibly have to adjust to an amended curriculum; the normal routine of the year may change, which means that everyone will have to adapt to the new routine.

The techniques in this guide can be applied to any crisis, among these bullying in children, and it can be used by parent, teachers and learners. It is especially important to AfriForum’s youth leadership division to look after our country’s children and their safety – physical as well as emotional.

We are confident that this guide will make a difference in many lives.

Download the resource guide for COVID-19 lockdown and other times of crisis.