Four Pinelands High School pupils have been suspended and face a disciplinary hearing over alleged racist bullying at the school, says the provincial education department.
The school found itself embroiled in a racism row after a video on social media showed what appeared to be pupils running a mock slave auction.
In the video, black pupils stand behind a chain-link gate while coloured pupils appear to bid for them. “R100 000 and sold” can be heard on the video along with jeering.
Approached for comment, the school referred the Tatler to the Western Cape Education Department.
Department spokeswoman Bronagh Hammond described the video as “deeply disturbing” and “hurtful”.
“The actions of the pupils do not reflect the values and ethos of the school or the WCED.”
The department was investigating the incident, which had happened at the school last Thursday, she said.
“Four pupils are currently on suspension and will face a disciplinary hearing. Steps will also be taken against other pupils who may have transgressed certain provisions within the code of conduct.”
Meanwhile a letter, signed by Pinelands High’s school governing body chairperson Joy Marie Lawrence and principal Graham Sayer and circulating on social media, says: “Our school has long grappled with injustices of the past, and this incident serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of our ongoing conversations about race, privilege, bullying, social media pranks, and the impact of our words and actions in both the physical and digital world.”
It adds: “The actions of a few should not tarnish the hard work and values that define the school.”
In response to the video, the deputy provincial secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), Kenneth Williams, said: “We are disturbed by the actions of the pupils. To think this can happen after 30 years of democracy and that we have previously celebrated Mandela Day.”
He called for counselling for all the pupils in the video and for the school’s staff and said Sadtu would consult the South African Human Rights Commission about looking into the matter.
Ms Hammond said counselling support had been prioritised, with debriefing sessions having already taken place for all Grade 8 pupils, and further support was planned for the rest of the school.
Black People’s National Crisis Committee spokesperson Songezo Mazizi said the incident was just the latest at a number of schools throughout the country.
“We are not surprised as it shows our society is still divided,” he said. “We believe there should be a national dialogue and a call for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to try to understand why these racial incidents happen and how we can resolve them.”
