‘It’s scary’ Lady Du Calls For Rat Poison Restriction To Kids
Renowned musician and businesswoman, Lady Du, has fervently urged Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi to step in and take measures to restrict the sale of rat poison to children. This urgent call follows a tragic incident at Tsakane Secondary School, where two young pupils reportedly took their own lives. In response, Lady Du has sounded the alarm, emphasizing the need for authorities to prioritize mental health awareness within educational institutions.
A Plea for Immediate Attention
In a heartfelt message posted on her social media account, Lady Du expressed her concern, stating, “Can we kindly take this rat poison issue seriously? We have a lot of kids committing suicide, it’s scary. Shops should stop selling rat poison to kids. It’s a trend, it’s scary. We need to act now @Lesufi, please. We need more awareness on mental health in schools.”
Can we kindly take this rat poison issue serious we have a lot of kids committing suicide it’s scary, shops should stop selling rat poison to kids 😭😭😭😭 it’s a trend it’s scary. We need to act now @Lesufi please 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
We need more awareness on mental health in schools
— Ladydu (@Ladydu_sa) August 23, 2023
Department Responds, Acknowledging Tragedy
The Department of Education promptly responded to the incident with a comprehensive statement. While denying that a video depicted the suicides, spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed the devastating deaths of two female students—one in matric and the other in grade 8. Tragedy struck on August 7 and 8, respectively. The department also revealed that a grade 8 male student had brought poison to the school on August 8, consuming it in full view of his peers. Fortunately, he was rushed to a local medical facility and is currently in recovery.
Rising Concerns Explored by Mental Health Professionals
TimesLIVE consulted psychiatrist Dr. Shlomo Brook, shedding light on two earlier incidents that occurred in July. One case involved a grade 8 girl from Geluksdal Secondary School in Ekurhuleni, who tragically consumed poison at home and passed away en route to a healthcare facility. Another case was a matric student from Nigel High School, who also ingested poison at home, resulting in a fatal outcome.
Dr. Brook emphasized that such incidents have been on the rise within black communities and townships. He noted, “This is an imminent disaster, and in the past, it was mostly in white schools and communities, but now that I work in Krugersdorp [I have seen] there is more in black society. Families don’t understand what is happening [with their children] and are not aware of depression,” he stated.
Addressing Root Causes
The escalating causes of depression and anxiety among teenagers are linked to various factors, including the influence of social media, school-related bullying, cyberbullying, and challenges within the home environment.
This urgent plea from Lady Du highlights the critical importance of implementing comprehensive mental health awareness programs in schools, fostering open discussions, and taking proactive measures to ensure the well-being of the younger generation.
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