Various organisations, and political parties have reacted to a viral video of a group of high school pupils purportedly auctioning off their black classmates at Pinelands High School.
In the video, it can be seen that coloured
learners “bidding” up to R100 000 before the start of school, last Thursday,
for their peers who were allegedly rounded up and placed in a confined space.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said
it was aware of the “deeply disturbing and hurtful” video that was circulating.
“The
actions of the learners do not reflect the values and ethos of the school or
the WCED. On Friday morning, senior officials visited the school. The school
had already initiated an investigation into the event in terms of its
disciplinary procedures, following an allegation of racist bullying, in connection
with an event that occurred,’’ said Bronagh Hammond, WCED spokesperson.
“The learners involved have and are being interviewed
and offered support, including counselling. Contact has been made with the
learners’ parents and the school management has also engaged with the staff and
learners and will be communicating with the parent community,” added Hammond.
The ANC in the Western Cape wants a full
investigation to be launched. Leader of the opposition in the provincial
legislature, Khalid Sayed, commended the swift response by the school. Several
pupils were suspended.
“Their honesty and transparency in handling
this matter are commendable. The counselling provided to affected learners,
staff and the broader community is a crucial first step. However, this must be
coupled with sustained and open dialogues about racism, especially within
former Model C schools.’’
“This incident reflects the pervasive problem
of racism that often goes unreported in many of the former Model C schools in
the Western Cape. It is alarming that such attitudes persist among high school
learners, suggesting a failure to adequately address and combat racism at a
systemic level,’’ he added.
EFF said they were shocked to see the video,
and awaited the outcome of the investigation.
Teachers union SADTU described the incident as ‘’deeply
distressed.’’
‘’It is completely unacceptable that racism
persists even after 30 years of our democratic dispensation and during Mandela
Month. Such regressive behaviour undermines the collective aspirations of South
Africans to build a non-racial, non-sexist, and inclusive society, as
envisioned in our Constitution. Racism is a common place in “some” schools in
the Western Cape and there is no commitment to root out this demon and relic of
our painful past,’’ said Jonovan Rustin, SADTU Provincial Secretariat.
‘’We also call on the Western Cape Department
of Education to implement diversity programs at Pinelands high school.
Additionally, we ask all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the WCED to
thoroughly investigate this serious issue…SADTU Western Cape will not rest
until justice is served and the perpretator/s are reprimanded,’’ he added.
Done By: Stephanie van Rayen & Mitchum
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