Home » Gauteng Minister Pledges to Investigate #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh

Gauteng Minister Pledges to Investigate #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh

PRETORIA – Panyaza Lesufi, MEC for Education in the Gauteng Province, responded Sunday night to a #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh petition, and is expected to visit the school at 10am Monday morning to investigate the claims of racism which include allegations that black schoolgirls have been forced to straighten or relax their hair to comply with exam regulations. The […]

By SAPeople
29-08-16 12:41
in News

PRETORIA – Panyaza Lesufi, MEC for Education in the Gauteng Province, responded Sunday night to a #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh petition, and is expected to visit the school at 10am Monday morning to investigate the claims of racism which include allegations that black schoolgirls have been forced to straighten or relax their hair to comply with exam regulations.

The hashtag went viral Sunday evening, with a video (filmed on Friday at Pretoria Girls High School) being widely shared of a teacher trying to grab a camera out of a student’s hand; and a photo that could well become iconic being shared of a schoolgirl standing up to an adult male.

The petition is addressed to Lesufi and the headmistress, Mrs K. du Toit. It says:

We the undersigned call on you to take swift action to ensure that:

– The school’s code of conduct does not discriminate against Black and Muslim girls;
– Disciplinary action against teachers and other staff members implementing any racist policy and/or racist actions
– Protection for the learners who protested to ensure they will not be victimised.

Why is this important?

Right now, learners at Pretoria High school are demanding that racist practices at the school are brought to an end. Girls attending the school have been forced to straighten their hair; are accused of conspiring when standing in groups and face other intolerable comments and actions.

We stand in solidarity with the learners, who marched at the school on the 26th to say enough is enough. It is unacceptable that in a country in which Black people are a demographic majority, we still today continue to be expected to pander to whiteness and to have it enforced through school policy.

A widely-shared picture that says a thousand words:

The video of the teacher:

https://twitter.com/uaubfremh/status/769981392839114752

On Twitter:

https://twitter.com/SureKamhunga/status/769995945895399424

https://twitter.com/DonovanGoliath/status/770160117975252992

https://twitter.com/MissLopi/status/769979418651594752

https://twitter.com/themii79/status/769975650744762368

Lesufi responded to concerned tweets till after midnight on Sunday, reassuring South Africans “this will end… It won’t happen under my leadership. NEVER!”

Monday morning on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/_ijeomaopara/status/770129542174375936

John Robbie interview (which has caused a backlash):