SAHRC find no wrong in Brackenfell High School matric ball party

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) did not find any evidence of racism of Brackenfell High School after a group of pupils held a private matric party in 2020.

This after a group of pupils excluded pupils on the basis of race. 

‘’While the Commission found, through its investigation, that some of the School’s officials knew about the Event, as details of the Event were shared by parents/guardians and learners of the School on WhatsApp, Facebook and by word of mouth; and four teachers had been invited in their private capacity, the evidence before the Commission exonerates the School from the planning, funding, advertising or hosting the Event,’’ said the SAHRC in a statement.

‘’Accordingly, the Commission found that the School did not host a “whites only matric ball” and therefore did not discriminate, whether directly or indirectly, fairly or unfairly, against Grade 12 learners on the ground of race,’’ it added.

An initial investigation, conducted by the Western Cape’s Education Department, found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the school.

SAHRC commissioner Andre Guam says the commission interviewed teachers and pupils but could not find any evidence of racism.

It says the event organisers also did not directly or indirectly discriminate against pupils

‘’The Commission is grateful for the cooperation it received during its investigation from all relevant parties: School learners who identify with the various race groups, parents and guardians of learners, learners from a different school, the Western Cape Education Department and the School.’’

 

Done By: Mitchum George