“Prayer Over Punishment”: Matrics Choose Love Over Hazing for Grade 8s

“Prayer Over Punishment”: Matrics Choose Love Over Hazing for Grade 8s

  • A heartwarming video from Potchefstroom Gimnasium shows Grade 12 learners breaking traditional hazing practices by washing the feet and praying for new Grade 8 students
  • The touching footage shows the school's commitment to replacing harmful initiation rituals with acts of service and spiritual guidance
  • South Africans were moved to tears by the display of compassion, with many calling for other schools to adopt similar traditions that promote kindness over intimidation

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A post on a local school's matric behaviour towards grade 8s went viral.
A school posted a video on their Facebook page of their matric students taking a biblical approach towards welcoming their grade 8s instead of hazing. Images: @potchgimmiesofficial
Source: Facebook

Content creator @potchgimmiesofficial shared an inspiring video of how Potchefstroom Gimnasium is welcoming its Grade 8 learners uniquely and thoughtfully.

Instead of traditional hazing, the video shows Grade 12 students washing the feet of the newcomers and offering prayers for their school journey, promoting a spirit of care and support.

Watch the video here.

A post on a local school's matric behaviour towards grade 8s went viral.
A school posted a video on their Facebook page of their matric students taking a biblical approach towards welcoming their grade 8s instead of hazing. Images: @potchgimmiesofficial
Source: Facebook

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Breaking harmful traditions

Hazing, a practice with roots as far back as 387 BCE, has been shown in recent studies to negatively impact students.

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While some schools still hold onto initiation rituals, Potchefstroom Gimnasium’s approach shows a positive shift. By replacing hazing with acts of kindness and mentorship, they’re setting an example for creating safe and nurturing spaces for new students.

A post on a local school's matric behaviour towards grade 8s went viral.
A school posted a video on their Facebook page of their matric students taking a biblical approach towards welcoming their grade 8s instead of hazing. Images: @potchgimmiesofficial
Source: Facebook

Mzansi touched by new tradition

The heartwarming gestures sparked emotional responses:

@Dorien Dory Jacobsz Scheffer shared:

"Ek weet nie Wie dit begin het of wanneer dit begin het nie maar dis een van die mooiste goed wat ek nou in 2025 gesien het ek is in trane. 🥺 Mag die tradisie n instelling bly."

@Diana Van Der Merwe wished:

"Sjo bid ek nie dat elke skool in ons land hierdie gesindheid kan hê nie. Dan kan dit mos net goed gaan in ons land. Dit is n pragtige voorbeeld vir elke leerling in ons land. Moet dit nooit prysgee nie maak nie saak watse druk van die wêreld kom nie."

@Lydia Viviers emotionally stated:

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"Dit is die mooiste tradisie ek huil nou sommer. Mag Gimmies van krag tot krag gaan. Wat n voorreg. Van n baie, baie aangedane Gimmies ouma. Groete van Swakopmund, Namibie."

@Cecelia Thomas praised:

"Putting God at the forefront of their high school career. What a beautiful and truly meaningful occasion."

@Nkitseng Neven Motsoeneng Snr blessed:

"When a school's foundation is build on Christ 🙌🏿 Truly a blessing 🔥🔥"

Other school stories making waves

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Nerissa Naidoo avatar

Nerissa Naidoo (Human Interest Editor) Nerissa Naidoo is a versatile writer and editor with expertise across platforms. Currently a human interest writer at Briefly News, she began her career contributing to Morning Lazziness and later specialized in professional documents at Featherpen.org. As a TUW ghostwriter, she focused on non-fiction, while her editorial roles at National Today and Entail.ai honed her skills in content accuracy and expert-driven editing. You can reach her at nerissa.naidoo@briefly.co.za

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