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Debbie Schafer, Western Cape Minister of Education. Photo: Deon Raath
- The Western Cape MEC of Education, Debbie Schafer, had questioned in a tweet why the UCT was not accepting a potential medical student.
- He faced backlash on social media after it emerged that the student had rejected an acceptance letter.
- While Schafer was charged with “harassing the races,” she said she had raised legitimate questions about the wording of the UCT acceptance letters and what it considered competitive regardless of race.
Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schafer faced a social media backlash after tweeting about a potential medical student whose grades were “not competitive enough” for UCT.
It was later learned that the student had rejected an acceptance letter from the university and had been issued a standard response.
Schafer tweeted a copy of the results from Michiel Kühn, the 2020 tuition top winner, along with a letter from UCT saying the university couldn’t make him an offer because “the app is not competitive.”
UCT spokesman Elijah Moholola responded to the tweet, saying that the applicant received an offer from the university but did not accept it.
The student did not inform UCT that he would be studying at another institution, and when no response was received, the university sent an automated email saying he would no longer be considered for the course, Moholola said.
He added that the wording used in the email was generic for all applicants.
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“The faculty will review its systems to seek the use of wording that is applicable to specific applicants and that is not generic.”
However, Schafer has been accused of “racial harassment” by followers of social networks, including Good Party MP Brett Herron.
He replied that Schafer had “played the race card” by hinting that the student could not access UCT due to his skin color.
Estimated @DebbieSchafer Y @dhmgibson, you played the race card. The outstanding registrant could not enter @UCT_news medical school because he’s white. Meanwhile, the boy was offered a place based on his merits. So did he give you false information? Or did you run with something you didn’t check? https://t.co/1tH8oGx0Zf
– Brett Herron ???? (@brettherron) March 13, 2021
Herron said Schafer’s tweet included the subtext “that must be because he’s white,” and apologized.
So @DebbieSchafer, MEC for Education, accused @UCT_news of an “irrational” decision to reject a top candidate student. The subtext is so obvious that it must be because it is white. In the meantime, he was offered a spot and he didn’t bother to refuse or accept it. She should apologize but … ?? https://t.co/1aKZCPcimk
– Brett Herron ???? (@brettherron) March 13, 2021
Schafer told News24 that the motivation behind the tweet was to ask legitimate questions about what exactly would qualify as “competitive” at UCT.
“We are trying to motivate our students to work really hard and finish their studies. It is only fair that they know if a 96% average is not good enough for certain courses or universities.”
She closed the accusations that she was provoking races.
“I would have asked the same question regardless of the applicant’s race. I condemn any racist comments or implications in statements made by others.”
Meanwhile, Schafer has refused to apologize for the tweet.
“No, I will not apologize for the tweet. UCT sent a letter to a candidate with a 96% average and said he was ‘not competitive’. I think that deserves an explanation,” he said.
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