Media Advisory
Allegations of racism at the Pretoria High School for Girls, Table View High School and Pinelands High School in the Western Cape
01 August 2024
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) has noted with profound concern, the reported incident of racism at the Pretoria High School for Girls, allegedly perpetrated by white pupils through the sharing of offensive messages about black classmates on a WhatsApp group that was created by, and consisted of white learners only. The alleged perpetrators have been suspended and will be subjected to disciplinary process by the school governing body. The principal has also been suspended as of yesterday. It is concerning that this is not the first time that this school is embroiled in acts of racism. The school management must take all reasonable steps to combat racism between and among teachers and learners.
The DoJ&CD further denounces further reported incidents at schools in the Western Cape, respectively, where a teacher at Table View High School allegedly used the k-word against a grade 12 pupil, and another reported incident relating to the “slave auction” of black pupils by coloured pupils at Pinelands High School. Our courts, especially our designated Equality Courts have pronounced on the use of the derogatory k-word – there is no place for such in a constitutional democracy which seeks to foster unity in diversity. Indeed, there is no place for racism or any other form of related intolerance in our constitutional democracy, which is anchored on the supremacy of the Constitution. Such incidents perpetuate harmful racial discrimination, and are stark and painful reminders of our Apartheid past.
This year South Africa marks 30 years of freedom and democracy since the country’s democratic elections in 1994. The advent of our constitutional democracy 30 years ago, ended decades of oppression under white minority rule, based on the racist ideology of black inferiority and white superiority, and ushered in a transition to a society “based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights”.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 prescribes direct or indirect unfair discrimination by the State or any person against anyone on one or more grounds, including race. Such prohibition is founded on the value of human dignity as well as the provisions that everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected.
Notwithstanding these constitutional imperatives and obligations as well as the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 (Act No. 4 of 2000) which prohibits unfair discrimination, hate speech and harassment, incidents of racism continue to spiral in various circles of our society and therefore reverse the efforts taken to foster social cohesion, mutual respect and co-existence. More recently. the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act 16 of 2023, came into operation in May 2024. This Act declares any hate crime or hate speech as an offence that the incidents mentioned above may fall within.
South Africa’s National Action Plan to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (NAP) was approved by Cabinet in 2019. The NAP gives effect to South Africa’s constitutional and international obligations, thus signifying government’s commitment to achieving the objectives of the NAP at the highest level. The DoJ&CD, as the focal agency tasked by Cabinet to lead and coordinate the implementation of the NAP, in line with its constitutional mandate, unequivocally condemns all and any acts of discrimination, in whatever form they occur. It is of great concern, that learners, almost all of whom were born in a country that is democratic and more inclusive, have to both experience racism and some still continue to hold such beliefs of racism, intolerance, hurtful and demeaning behaviour.
The DoJ&CD unequivocally condemns any acts of racism and racial discrimination and will intensify its efforts, in collaboration with the South African Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Gender Equality and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, to promote awareness of constitutional rights, including the prohibition against hate crimes and hate speech, aimed at the prevention and combating of these offences. The DoJ&CD is engaging the Department of Basic Education and will be monitoring how these matters will be handled and eagerly awaits the outcome thereof.
Enquiries:
Mr. Tsekiso Machike
Spokesperson: Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development
Cell: 078 237 3900
Email: TMachike@justice.gov.za
Issued by the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services
