adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
BULAWAYO cartoonist Martin Mahenga has released a comic strip, Skizzo vs The Bully, which confronts the scourge of bullying in schools. The soft-spoken Mahenga told Chronicle Showbiz that the characters, although fictitious, were a depiction of what was happening in schools. “I wanted to tell an authentic story that can be followed and have a touch of reality so that we educate parents and children on the dangers of bullying,” he said.
Mahenga, who is the Chronicle’s cartoonist for the strip Ngwabi the Analyst, said there was need for parents and other stakeholders to tackle bullying in schools.
“Through Skizzo, the book’s protagonist, he explores the dangers and psychological effects of bullying on school children and stresses the need for concerted efforts from parents and teachers in arresting this vice,” he said.
Mahenga said the book had tips on how to handle bullying and where to get help.
“The book is also intended to equip a child who needs help with this issue as it contains tips and suggestions on how one can go about finding a solution,” he said.
The story begins with Skizzo talking about the principal of his school, Morthlea High, who had expelled five bullies from his school.
There are issues of depression and falling grades because Skizzo, who was bullied, could not report to anyone. He tries to tell his parents but they don’t listen to him.
Skizzo takes drastic measures by stealing a gun from his father’s bedroom drawer and taking it to school.
Mahenga is a freelance commercial artist for the past 12 years. His comic strip Ngwabi the Analyst has been running for more than a decade.
Online Reporter