Gauteng MEC's action against Racism

26 June 2015

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union welcomes and fully supports measures taken by the MEC for Education in Gauteng, Honourable Panyaza Lesufi, following incidents of racism in schools.

It remains our firm position that racism must be eliminated where it raised its ugly head. Those who still pursue this backward practice must be exposed and dealt with decisively.

Clearly the management of Curro Foundation School has no interest in building a non-racial society in South Africa. Thus the removal of those responsible for perpetuating racism is appropriate. Further, the conditions set for the school to change its operations, failing which the school's license will be withdrawn, is commendable.

We are equally outraged by continued acts of racism at Roodeport Primary school despite several interventions and once more call upon the MEC to take appropriate decisive steps against those involved in this barbaric act which has led to the unfortunate closure of the school and thereby wasting valuable irrecoverable learning and teaching time.

We call on the MEC to fast-track the enquiry into racism and further that the Minister of Basic Education Honourable Angie Motshekga to institute a national enquiry into racism so that it is addressed comprehensively.

We also reiterate our long standing call on government to review funding of independent schools as we believe that education is a public good and should therefore not be privatised.

Statement issued by Tseliso Ledimo, SADTU Gauteng Provincial Secretary, June 26 2015