Investigation launched after Upington teacher's alleged blackface incident
Image: NCDOE/Facebook
An Upington high school teacher has been placed on leave pending an investigation after he was accused of a blackface incident.
According to reports, the Duineveld High School teacher painted his face black and wore a black wig. A video of the event was shared on the school's social media page, but it has since been deleted.
Widespread outrage and criticism prompted the Northern Cape Department of Education to place the teacher on suspension.
Executive Mayor of the Dawid Kruiper municipality, David Kazi, said this despicable conduct has left learners of colour feeling degraded, disrespected, and unwelcome in a supposed educational sanctuary, and it cannot be condoned under any circumstances.
"It is a deplorable reality that Duineveld High School has once again emerged as a center of racist incidents. This disturbing pattern is not an anomaly; it reflects a systemic and deeply embedded problem within the school's culture and leadership that demands immediate and uncompromising action," he said.
Northern Cape Department of Education MEC Abraham Vosloo visited the school to speak to management about a way forward.
At a media briefing following the meeting, Vosloo said the teacher's suspension was necessary to protect the integrity of the investigation.
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It's the second incident of racism at the school in less than a year. In September last year, a video went viral of a learner repeatedly using the k-word.
In the video, that has been seen by hundreds of thousands of people, the pupil and three others join a live TikTok chat with a man identified as content creator @UncleSeeno, calling him a 'k***** and a n*****'.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Joy Maimela has expressed shock and disgust at the latest incident.
"I am however not surprised that racism once again poked out its ugly head at the school. During an oversight visit by the committee in October last year, the committee noted several exclusionary practices at the school and urged the NCED and the national Department of Basic Education to address this," she said.
Meanwhile, the Freedom Front Plus accused the African National Congress of 'targeting high schools in Upington".
It said the teacher in question is "popular and compassionate ".
The party has insisted that the investigation should not turn into a witch-hunt aimed at proving racism in a bid to justify the disruption.
seanne.rall@iol.co.za
IOL
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