LIMPOPO — Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba on 14 August presented troubling figures showing substance abuse, bullying, teenage pregnancy and gangsterism among learners at five of the Vhembe East Circuit’s prominent secondary schools, officials reported.
Confirmed cases across five schools
Ramathuba spoke during a Teenage Pregnancy, Substance Abuse and Antibullying Campaign held at Raluswielo Secondary School in the Thulamela Local Municipality, where hundreds of learners attended. She said a circuit report covering Mbilwi, Mphaphuli, Nthetsheleseni, Phaswana and Raluswielo secondary schools had identified a number of learners affected by social problems.
“These are only the reported cases. We do not know how many more children are suffering in silence, too afraid to speak out or too ashamed to ask for help,”
Ramathuba described the confirmed numbers as more than statistics, saying they represented, “classrooms interrupted, families in distress and communities under siege.”
| Issue | Reported cases |
|---|---|
| Substance abuse | 60 learners |
| Bullying victims | 81 learners |
| Teenage pregnancy | 26 learners |
| Linked to gangsterism | 22 learners |
Premier links substance abuse to wider school problems
Ramathuba said substance abuse often initiates other social challenges in schools. She warned that early experimentation with drugs and alcohol can quickly escalate into violence, bullying, poor academic performance and teenage pregnancy. She pointed to Thohoyandou, Sibasa and surrounding communities as locations where these dynamics were visible, according to the provincial office.
The campaign at Raluswielo brought learners together to discuss these matters and to provide a platform for awareness and prevention, the Office of the Premier reported. The presence of hundreds of learners in a marquee underscored concern among educators and the provincial government for the welfare of pupils in the circuit.
What the numbers mean locally
The figures refer only to reported cases from the five named schools; the Premier cautioned that unreported incidents may raise the true scale. For parents, educators and community leaders in Vhembe, the immediate implications include:
- Increased need for school-based counselling and learner support services.
- Closer co‑ordination between schools, parents, social services and SAPS to address bullying, gangster involvement and drug supply.
- Targeted sexual and reproductive health education to reduce teenage pregnancy and support pregnant learners.
Local context and next steps
The campaign focused on prevention, awareness and the creation of safer school environments. Ramathuba’s remarks signal provincial recognition of the problem and the likely involvement of multiple departments — including education, social development and health — in follow-up interventions, as is typical for such cross-cutting challenges.
While the Premier provided the confirmed counts, the report did not set out immediate new budgets or disciplinary measures at the event. It also did not give a breakdown by age, grade or gender for the reported cases, nor did it specify whether SAPS or social welfare had opened individual cases for investigation. Those details will be necessary for authorities planning targeted responses.
What parents and schools can do now
Community members and caregivers who are concerned about a child’s wellbeing can use the following practical steps while provincial interventions are arranged:
- Speak with the school principal or learner support teacher to request a referral for counselling or social work services.
- Report suspected criminal activity — including drug dealing or recruitment into gangs — to the local SAPS station so incidents are recorded and investigated.
- Engage with community health clinics for sexual and reproductive health services and information for learners.
At the campaign, Ramathuba urged communities to break the silence around these problems and to ensure learners feel safe to come forward. The provincial office provided photographs from the event showing the Premier addressing pupils, shared on the Office of the Premier’s social media pages.
As schools across Vhembe and Limpopo face pressures from socio‑economic strains, Ramathuba’s figures will likely prompt further inquiries and interventions by the provincial government. Schools, parents and community leaders will be watching for concrete plans and increased resources to protect learners and restore safe learning environments.
