SAHRC calls for pupils to lay racism complaints
SHEREE BEGA
CHELSEA GEACH chelsea.geach@inl.co.za
THE SOUTH African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has called for former and current pupils to come forward and lay complaints about their experiences of racism in schools.
Since last week, hundreds of young people across the country have taken to social media to expose the racism they experienced while in private and former Model C schools.
“It’s quite overwhelming and very concerning, and indicative of the fact that there is still a lot of unfair discrimination out there,” said advocate Andre Gaum, SAHRC commissioner responsible for basic education.
“We will definitely consider doing an own-initiative investigation but we also want to actually request people to lay complaints with us. That would make it easier for us to pinpoint the facts and take the best possible decision as to the way forward.”
Gaum said some were being subjected to racism at a formative age.
“The idea of non-racialism and the value of equality and dignity should be established so that they can take it forward with them in their lives.”
He said that new textbooks have been written to encourage a human rights ethos in schools.
“We believe that the school environment is such a critical environment to create the atmosphere for a culture of human rights to be developed.”
The Western Cape Education Department has also urged people to come forward and lay complaints.
Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson to for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said: “We have noted a decrease in the number of incidents reported to us in this recent period, and believe that progress is being made generally in this regard,” she said.
“We urge all of our learners to formally report any incidents of this nature, as it is difficult to act on anonymous social media claims.”
The Herschel Girls’ School recently came under fire from former pupils of colour after an Instagram post related to the #Blacklivesmatter movement.
Herschel principal Heather Goedeke has since issued an apology on the school’s social media platforms.
“We recognise that the sum of all the accounts reveals a system at Herschel that has enabled racist attitudes, behaviour and treatment.
“We are profoundly and unreservedly sorry for the racist and discriminatory experiences endured, the resultant embarrassment and pain, the lasting hurt and ongoing trauma. These experiences should never have occurred, and we take collective responsibility,” the statement read.