Parliament, Monday, 4 November 2024 – The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences, and the Creative Industries, Mr Makhi Feni, has welcomed the outcomes of the Gauteng Department of Education’s probe into racism allegations at Pretoria High School for Girls.
Mr Feni said the outcomes clearly showed that racism was still rampant in white schools where everything possible was done to block the integration of our learners.
“This outcome gives not only the Pretoria High School for Girls but all [former] white schools an opportunity to reflect on how they are integrating black South African learners into what they perceive to be their spaces.”
“It does not help to deny racism in institutions as often it is the victim who knows how it feels to be alienated. School Governing Bodies and principals need to accept that South Africa is a diverse country with a history of institutionalised racism.”
The Pretoria Girls High was in the news a few months back for racist tendencies that included the establishment of a Whites-only WhatsApp group, as well as white educators not greeting black educators. This is only one incident in white schools that caught the media’s attention this year.
Mr Feni said white schools should not remain dens and enclaves of aspirant racists, and that the schools needed to identify initiatives that integrate black learners into broader school communities without being judged.
“Conservatism on outdated race politics will not help this country prosper, but diversity will. South Africa still needs to heal, and we will not tire raising these matters until our children live, work, and play together with no regard whatsoever to race and background.”
The committee welcomes this report, proving that the school-commissioned report was just a whitewashing meant to avoid taking responsibility.
“Now the provincial department should move to help the school identify programmes that will dispel racism practices no matter how clandestine. Racism in all its forms is deplorable, and we condemn it,” said Mr Feni.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, SCIENCES, AND THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES MR MAKHI FENI.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, contact the committee's Media Officer:
Name: Mr Sibongile Maputi
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Email: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
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