A teacher is someone a child is supposed to be able to trust, someone who teaches them, guides them and, in many cases, becomes another important adult in their lives. But what happens when that trust is abused?
We’re seeing renewed concern in South Africa around allegations of teachers sexually harassing learners, grooming them and in some cases, being in relationships with them. The numbers are disturbing, SACE recorded 826 sexual-misconduct complaints involving educators between 2021 and 2025, while the Education Labour Relations Council recorded 469 cases between 2018/19 and 2024/25. And behind every statistic is a child, a family and a school community potentially dealing with the consequences. But there’s another conversation we need to have. When does a teacher simply cross a professional boundary, and when does that behaviour become grooming? And are we sometimes normalising relationships between teachers and learners by calling them relationships when there is an enormous imbalance of age, authority and power. Kefentse Mkhari is in conversation with Education Specialist, Sibusiso Gama and Social Commentator, Emmanuel Masuku

A teacher is someone a child is supposed to be able to trust, someone who teaches them, guides them&nbsp;and, in many cases, becomes another important adult in their lives. But what happens when that trust is abused? We&rsquo;re seeing renewed concern in South Africa around allegations of teachers sexually harassing learners,&nbsp;grooming them and in some cases, being in relationships with them. The numbers are disturbing, SACE&nbsp;recorded 826 sexual-misconduct complaints involving educators between 2021 and 2025, while the Education&nbsp;Labour Relations Council recorded 469 cases between 2018/19 and 2024/25. And behind every statistic is a&nbsp;child, a family and a school community potentially dealing with the consequences. But there&rsquo;s another&nbsp;conversation we need to have. When does a teacher simply cross a professional boundary, and when does that&nbsp;behaviour become grooming? And are we sometimes normalising relationships between teachers and learners&nbsp;by calling them relationships when there is an enormous imbalance of age, authority and power. Kefentse&nbsp;Mkhari is in conversation with Education Specialist, Sibusiso Gama and Social Commentator, Emmanuel&nbsp;Masuku

At POWER 98.7 we invite you to join the conversation on every platform. Browse this selection of podcasts. Now we're talking.

At POWER 98.7 we invite you to join the conversation on every platform. Browse this selection of podcasts. Now we're talking.

The best of POWER Zone

After the day’s heavy conversations, POWER Zone tapers down the momentum with long format, reflective and insightful conversations. The show allows for those retiring for the day to take time to reflect on the day’s experiences. Those whose day begins at this time will enjoy the calm pace and amazing insights from the POWER listeners. The discussions, curated by guest hosts, are nuanced and explore a myriad of matters affecting the country, continent and the diaspora with customised themes on Africa, the youth, societal issues and the arts.

After the day&rsquo;s heavy conversations, POWER Zone tapers down the momentum with long format, reflective and insightful conversations. The show allows for those retiring for the day to take time to reflect on the day&rsquo;s experiences. Those whose day begins at this time will enjoy the calm pace and amazing insights from the POWER listeners. The discussions, curated by guest hosts, are nuanced and explore a myriad of matters affecting the country, continent and the diaspora with customised themes on Africa, the youth, societal issues and the arts.