Bloodshed as 'drug wars' engulf Nonhlevu Secondary

By Musa Mnyandu

Learners coming to school smelling of dagga, thriving drug market among the learner population, and stabbing incidents; this has become the frightening scenario currently unfolding at Nonhlevu Secondary School, prompting the School Governing Body (SGB) to make an appeal to law enforcement authorities to step in.

A few weeks ago a learner from the school was reportedly viciously stabbed near Shavin's Trading Store in Etete, on his way back from school, resulting in him being disembowelled. The perpetrators were allegedly fellow learners from the school. A few days later another later sustained several stab wounds near Umfolozi TVET College's Groutville Campus, also allegedly by a fellow learner.

That was not the end of the nightmare, as police arrested two learners from the school on Wednesday last week, after they were allegedly found in possession of drugs. KwaDukuza SAPS communications officer Constable Siphesihle Myeni confirmed that the two learners were charged accordingly and were brought to court the following day.

However on the same day the two learners were appearing in court, another learner was viciously stabbed inside the school premises, prompting parents to question the safety of their children inside school premises.

SGB Chairperson Xolani Skade attributes the problem to rampant drug trade at the school. Skade has however pointed out that indications are that learners are being used by adult drug dealers who apparently recruit them to sell drugs at school, for a cut of the profit. Skade admits the school is fast becoming a den for drug dealers, resulting in drug wars. Skade is has vowed stern action against learners found guilty of involvement in drugs, or in other serious transgression.

“We have a serious drug problem at the school, which has resulted in the growing incidence of violence, as drug dealers fight for territory. However we are making headway in addressing the problem. We have established an internal disciplinary committee to fast track cases arising from all the criminal incidents, and we can assure parents and the community that we will not hesitate to expel those learners who are involved in drug trade, and those who are embroiled in police investigations. Our school is a learning environment, not a drug market,” Skade stated.

Police raids

Community members have complained of learners, both male and female, indulging in dagga just before entering the school

The Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings has selected and announced 9 young scientists from South Africa to participate at the 72nd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting dedicated to Physiology/Medicine from 25 to 30 June 2023 in Lindau, Germany.

The nominating partner, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) hosted a pretravel meeting and science communication training on 15-16 May 2023 for the selected young scientists to prepare them of what to expert in the Lindau meeting in Germany.

In Lindau's quest to continuously strive to increase the quality and internationality of the candidates, their scientific review panel has selected 635 of the most qualified young scientists from more than 90 nationalities to participate in this year's Lindau Meeting. The selected young scientists will experience and contribute to the unique atmosphere of the Lindau Meetings. About 40 Nobel Laureates are planning to attend the meeting and welcome the outstanding qualifications and the great diversity of nationalities of the applicants.

ASSAf, as the official partner of the Lindau Foundation and with funding from the DSI, annually nominates young scientists to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings which are designed as a forum for young scientists from all over the world to have an in-depth exchange with Nobel Laureates.

The academy and the DSI would like to congratulate the below listed 9 South African young scientists who have been selected to participate at the 72nd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting:

- Dr Martin Justin Page, Stellenbosch University

- Dr Velaphi Clement Thipe, University of MissouriColumbia

- Dr Nabila Ismail, Stellenbosch University

- Dr Kamini Govender, University of KwaZulu-Natal

- Ms Claudia Christowitz, Stellenbosch University

- Dr Cosnet Lerato Rametse, University of Cape Town

- Dr Sunaina Indermun, South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)

- Ms Ramakgahlela Betty Sebati, University of Johannesburg

- Dr Gina Leisching, Trinity College Dublin

During the pre-travel meeting, the 9 young scientists interacted with the alumni of the Lindau Laureate meetings who shared their experiences and the opportunities post participating at this prestigious life changing meetings. The meeting featured high-level speakers from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), and from partner organisations and entities i.e Mr Daan du Toit (Deputy

Director-General from DSI), Mr Imraan Patel (Deputy DirectorGeneral from DSI), Dr Aldo Stroebel (keynote speaker from the National Research Foundation), Prof Refilwe Nancy PhaswanaMafuya (ASSAf Council Member and Director at South African Medical Research CouncilUniversity of Johannesburg Pan African Centre for Epidemics Research), Dr Amitava

Bandopadhyay (Director-General of the Non-Aligned Movement's Centre for Science and Technology), and Mr Bheki

Hadebe (Director for High-End Skills, DSI).

In Lindau, the young scientists will experience a six-day programme with numerous lectures and panel discussions. They will also have the opportunity to meet the biggest science names in physics when they are introduced to the Lindau Nobel Laureates. The young scientists are set to travel from 23 June 2023 to the Lindau Laureate Meeting in Germany and they will be accompanied by the Executive Officer at the ASSAf, Prof Himla Soodyall.

One of the young scientists, Dr Kamini Govender, would like to dedicate her remarkable achievements to her eversupportive sister, Dr Sovishnee of General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital, and also to her father, Captain PV Govender.