From guilt to mission: A father’s fight against bullying
When he later introduced the idea of writing a book about bullying, it reopened painful memories for his daughter.
Samuel Livhalani Watchman Son of the Soil, from Green Village in Protea Glen, has authored a book titled ‘Stop Bullying! – Stopping Violence in Institutions of Learning’ after witnessing the impact bullying had on his daughter during her grade 11 year.
Like many parents, he initially did not fully understand what his daughter was going through. He admits that his family overlooked the warning signs until a frightening discovery changed everything.
The turning point came when his wife found their daughter in possession of numerous pills. Concerned and alarmed, he sat down with her to understand what was happening.
“She told me that no one at home or at school was listening to her. She said it felt like she was living in her own world alone,” he recalled. Those words left a lasting impact on him.
When he later introduced the idea of writing a book about bullying, it reopened painful memories for his daughter. “It brought back things she was trying to hide and didn’t want people to know about,” he said.
Samuel remembers his daughter telling him, “You were not there for me.” Those words filled him with guilt.
“The reason she said I wasn’t there for her is that I didn’t have background knowledge about bullying. I then started doing my own research to educate myself,” he added.
That research eventually became an 188-page book aimed at educating learners from grade R to grade 12, as well as parents, teachers, and community members about the realities of bullying and how to respond to it.
The book carries a powerful message: Bullying is not a harmless part of growing up. If ignored, it can have serious emotional consequences and may even drive some children to thoughts of suicide.
But for Samuel, the book is only one part of the solution.
‘Stop Bullying’ has evolved into a wider programme under the Voice of the Persecuted Africa (VOPA) NPO, which is already being implemented in schools across Gauteng, Limpopo, the Free State and Lesotho.
According to Samuel, the programme was designed to address the growing burden bullying places on schools.
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“Teachers spend a lot of time dealing with bullying incidents during teaching hours. While they are handling those matters, other learners are left unattended and valuable learning time is lost,” he explained.
When the programme is introduced at a school, the VOPA team donates ten copies of the book and appoints two trained anti-bullying intervention officers (ABIOs) from the local community.
The officers assist in handling bullying-related matters, allowing teachers to remain focused on teaching while ensuring pupils receive the support they need. The officers also receive stipends for their work.
Samuel said the number of officers trained in each area depends on the number of districts and schools within the region.
He believes the initiative helps bridge a gap in school safety, particularly in communities where government resources are limited.
The programme’s reach continues to grow, and Samuel hopes it will soon be introduced in schools in Lenasia South. Discussions have already begun, and the team is currently awaiting approval through the relevant departmental processes.
His ultimate dream is for the book to become part of the life orientation or life skills curriculum, helping children learn from an early age about respect, empathy, and the consequences of bullying.
The book took between two and three years to complete and was officially launched on March 14, 2026. Samuel credits the support and encouragement to Mpho Grace Livhalani, Fortunate Fhulufhelo Livhalani, Coach Joseph Dembe Ndou, Ezekiel Matope, and Gracewell Msimango for helping him bring the project to life.
In the book’s dedication, Samuel pays tribute to every child who has ever felt afraid, isolated, or unheard because of bullying. He reminds young people that they matter, that their lives have value, and that they are not alone.
The dedication also acknowledges parents, teachers, school leaders, faith-based organisations and communities, emphasising that bullying is not only a school issue but a societal one that requires collective action.
For more information about the Stop Bullying programme, contact Samuel Livhalani Watchman Son of the Soil on 073-333-7275.
Community members seeking assistance with bullying-related matters can contact Meshack Tebe on 082 371 7557.
