Parliament, Thursday, 5 September 2024 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Joy Maimela, has condemned the “racist and derogatory” video on TikTok by a learner of the Northern Cape that has gone viral.
Ms Maimela said, “This learner was born in a free and democratic South Africa, so this is unexpected. It is shocking. It is disappointing. It is hurtful that he can spew such remarks. This needs the attention of authorities at the highest level. It cannot be tolerated.”
Her comments follow a video that went viral of a learner repeatedly using the k-word. It has since been confirmed that the learner is from Hoërskool Duineveld in the Northern Cape. In the video that has been seen by hundreds of thousands of people, the pupil and three others join a live TikTok chat with a man identified as content creator @UncleSeeno, calling him a "k*****" and a n*****".
Ms Maimela said, “Considering the painful history of racism and discrimination in South Africa, our country has taken a zero-tolerance to such behaviour and utterances. We need urgent action on the matter.
“The committee calls on parents, communities, organisations, and schools to increase programmes and engagements on life skills to stem such behaviour. Raising well-rounded children is the responsibility of all of us,” said Ms Maimela.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION, MS JOY MAIMELA.
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