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By Theolin Tembo 
2h ago
Cape Town: There is no evidence that people have been excluded based on their race, revealed Debbie Schäfer, Western Cape Education MEC, after receiving a report on the Brackenfell High School function that was accused of being racist.
According to the report commissioned by Schäfer, the Brackenfell High School matrix function was a private event organized by the parents of the students, “who were disappointed that the formal dismissal from the school had been canceled.”
The MEC announced that it had requested a report when it visited the school in November with Prime Minister Alan Winde after a violent clash between EFF members and residents near the high school.
The EFF had been protesting alleged racism at the school, following reports of a white-only masquerade.
EFF members were attacked by parents and security guards outside the school.
On Monday, Schäfer said he had received the report from the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) after the furor that broke out regarding the event.
“On September 11, the school sent a letter to the parents, informing them that the dismissal from the school had been canceled, due to an instruction from the education department.
“Later, one of the parents of one of the students decided to organize a function for his daughter and some of her friends, since he wanted to do something special for her after the cancellation of the farewell to the school.”
The report revealed that the event was organized in a wine estate on October 17 and tickets cost R500 each. Schäfer said the invitation did not refer to the school.
“It specified that it was limited to 100 people, after the venue reported that they could increase the number of attendees from 50 to 100 as a result of the relaxation of Covid-19 regulations,” Schäfer said.
According to the report, the invitation was widely distributed through WhatsApp groups, as the father asked the class representatives to do.
“The invitation was also posted on the organizing parents’ Facebook page, so it was also open to outsiders of Brackenfell High. As a result, 42 students from Brackenfell High School and 30 from other surrounding schools attended.
“A separate WhatsApp group was started for those who had responded that they wanted to attend. This would explain the accusations of some who claim to have been excluded from a WhatsApp group, ”said Schäfer.
“Accusations were also made publicly that the principal did not attend ‘because students of color did not attend.’ According to the report, both the director and director were invited, but did not attend because they had other plans that day and were organizing their own farewell functions.
“Four teachers were invited in their personal capacity, as they had close personal ties with the organizing father. The school knew the event was happening, but the school and the organizers considered it a private event. Therefore, it was not necessary to seek approval from the director or the SGB, ”said the MEC.
The report explained that supervision at the event was strictly maintained by parents and the MEC said that from those details it was clear that it was a private event.
Schäfer added that a media service provider, which is also used by the school, was asked to take photos at the event, and had uploaded images of the event on the school’s website by mistake. After other parents raised objections, the photos were removed.
“The evidence, therefore, is that the invitations were distributed to all enrollment classes. There is no evidence that people have been excluded because of their race.
“There is also no reason to take action against the teachers who attended the private event.”
The MEC said WCED remained committed to inclusion.
“However, we are also concerned that people use events to mobilize racial tensions without knowing the facts. This is a dangerous practice that is more likely to exacerbate racial tensions than to break down barriers. “
Cape Argus
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