Parents say racism rife at Hoërskool Jan Viljoen

Black pupils at Hoërskool Jan Viljoen in Randfontein on the West Rand have recalled a racially motivated attack that left two of them limping.

Speaking on Monday as angry parents protested outside the school while Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi was meeting educators and the school governing body (SGB), pupils said racism was rife at the school.

A pupil who was involved in the scuffle on Friday said a group of black Grade 8 pupils had been listening to music during lunch when they were approached by white schoolmates who told them to stop playing “your kaff*r music here”.

“We were playing our music and dancing. The white kids said this is not our place and we should leave,” recalled one pupil who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation.  

“We left them and went to another area. They followed us and started punching us. They were even insulting us, calling us kaff*rs,” said the pupil.

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A girl who was also allegedly assaulted on Friday said: “A boy came running to me to tell me that they wanted to hit him and he had done nothing wrong. I could see he wanted to cry. He genuinely needed help. As we were speaking, a group of white boys came running to us and started beating the boy up.

“When I turned around they pushed me, I fell and they started stepping on me and kicking me. My glasses ended up breaking and my blazer was torn. People removed them as they were on top of me,” said the pupil.

A Grade 8 pupil who witnessed Friday’s incident said he had heard that a similar episode had happened two weeks ago.  

“I heard that white Grade 12s were bullying black Grade 8 learners. They were swearing at them. The white Grade 12s always bully the black Grade 8 kids,” said the pupil.

Earlier on Monday rubber bullets and teargas were fired outside the institution to disperse protesting parents, Congress of South African Students members and protesters dressed in ANC and EFF regalia picketing outside the school and calling for an end to racism.

Tensions ran high as there were clear divisions among parents.

Some protesters carried placards reading: “No to racism” and “We are not hooligans”.

There was a heavy police presence and several roads were barricaded with burning tyres and large rocks.

Private security officers wearing helmets and armed with shields were stationed inside the school.

When Sowetan visited the school many black pupils were seen playing soccer and sitting under trees. Only one white pupil was seen in the vicinity.

Parents said there was a big issue of racism at the school.

Jeannet Kgokong, 56, said: “We have heard stories of learners crying about being called kaff*rs and the school is doing nothing about this.”

Joyce Gabashane, 46, said: “Nothing is being done about these acts of racism. The white kids here are taking advantage of our black children.”

Lesufi said the principal had collated evidence and requested anyone with information to come forward.

He said they had received a report from the school and there were educators and pupils who had to explain themselves.

“This evidence will be given to the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the police and SGB for further investigation. The police will continue with the investigation of the four cases and submit to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision. The SAHRC will be requested to investigate allegations of racism and other forms of discrimination,” said Lesufi.

In-contact schooling was suspended on Monday and the department said classes would resume online on Tuesday.

A parents meeting is scheduled for Thursday.

Race issue hasn't been addressed since democracy — expert

Gender and social justice education expert at the University of the Free State Prof Thidziambi Phendla said racism in schools still persists because the apartheid system taught whites that black people are inferior.

“This belief...was passed on from generation to generation. . Our democracy did not address the race issue. It only addressed the rights issue in terms of the power to vote, more than anything the political power rather than the social, socioeconomic and equality issues. White people still feel that they are superior to black people. They were raised to believe this perception.”

Phendla said the root of racism in schools is from children’s households.

“It is about the families themselves. Racism does not happen in schools per se. It comes with kids from these families to schools. The teachers should also have session with learners where they talk about racism, demonstrate actions of racism and antiracism.

 “When there is a racist incident that happens, the educators must deal with it right then and there and if push comes to shove, they must call the parents and tell them as a school they do not accept such behaviour. They should give the parents an ultimatum that if they do not stop such behaviour from their kids, then the kid should stay at home,” said Phendla.