Racism in schools: Born-free generation faces lingering inequality challenges

Thirty years after South Africa’s first democratic elections, incidents of alleged racism in schools spotlight enduring societal challenges and the complex journey toward true equality for the “born-free” generation.

This year marked 30 years since millions of South Africans cast their ballot in the first democratic election of 1994 for the first time in their lives.

Millions of South Africans who had previously been subjected to oppression and disadvantage due to the colour of their skin were released when the country transitioned from the harsh and segregation-based apartheid policy to a new democratic one.

‘Born-free’ generation

The generation of South African children born after apartheid or around the time it ended became known as “born-frees”.

In 2024, these “born-frees” found themselves being reported on in the media over incidents of alleged racism reported at their schools, raising the question of whether these incidents were a reflection of South African society and slow change.

The Citizen reported on a number of these incidents, including an incident where a former pupil at Riverwood College in Pietermaritzburg, Smamkele Nyathi, came forward in February with allegations of racial injustices that she endured while at the school.

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In September, a group of activists picketed at Hoërskool Wilgers following an alleged racial incident in May that saw a 14-year-old victim being placed in another school while her alleged bullies remained unaffected.

The former Hoërskool Wilgers pupil changed schools following a k-word altercation at school allegedly involving two white boys who allegedly bullied and racially discriminated against the girl.

There were also highly publicised incidents reported at Table View High School and Pinelands High School in the Western Cape.

2024 incidents of alleged racism in schools

At Table View High School, a teacher allegedly used the K-word about a matric pupil and the Pinelands High School “slave auction” of black pupils by coloured pupils.

In reaction to the incidents, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development condemned the incidents.

“There is no place for racism or any other form of related intolerance in our constitutional democracy, which is anchored on the supremacy of the Constitution.

“Such incidents perpetuate harmful racial discrimination and are stark and painful reminders of our Apartheid past,” the department said in August.

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Founder and CEO of Diversity-T, Teresa Oakley-Smith said that schools and South Africa’s education system haven’t done enough to address issues of prejudice.

“We’ve assumed that we can just leave everything and everything will be okay. We will the Rugby World Cup, and everyone thinks we’re a rainbow nation and things are marvellous, but they are not,” Oakley-Smith said in discussion with SABC News.

She added that these incidents happen daily and that there is a lot more to be done in schools, including training teachers who are representatives.

‘A lot more to be done in schools’

Dr Keitumetse Mashego, a clinical and sports psychologist, said that in 1994, there was no proper change management for the country and no proper healing for those who were previously deemed inferior.

“Without proper intervention, this is why we found ourselves in this chaotic situation we’re in. The superior has had to let go of the power without any assistance, and the so-called inferior had to learn how to be in power without proper assistance,” Mashego said.

She described what “born-free” children experience as a power struggle between the “superior” and
“inferior” races.

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“There is still a lot of work that needs to be done to make sure that we find some balance, and I think that was not prioritised when 1994 came, and that’s why we find ourselves where we are,” Mashego said.

She added that in order for people to change, they need to see something wrong with what is happening. “It’s going to be a struggle because they see nothing wrong with it,” she said.

Oakley-Smith added that when these incidents happen, there needs to be a thorough investigation and discussion with parents, educators, school staff, and the children to understand what the issues are and, on the basis of that, develop a process to address them.

What needs to be done

Mashego said the incidents were also a reflection of what is going on at home for pupils as racism is learnt.

“It’s important that adults have self-awareness to make sure that whatever it is that we are projecting to the children or teaching the children that they are aware of the bigger picture,” she said. 

Education activist Hendrick Makaneta told The Citizen incidents of alleged racism in schools harm the culture and sense of unity within schools, impacting everyone involved.

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“These issues reflect broader societal dynamics in South Africa, where racial tensions and inequalities remain even after the end of apartheid,” he said.

To address these issues, Makaneta said the education sector should focus on incorporating anti-racism education into the curriculum to promote understanding and empathy among pupils, helping them grasp the negative impact of discrimination.

He added that teacher training is also crucial because teachers have not been trained to deal with issues of racism.

Teacher training crucial

“Schools also need professionals such as educational psychologists who can assist schools by offering support services like counselling for affected learners so that they can cope with the emotional toll of discrimination,” he said.

Another highly publicised incident happened at Pretoria High School for Girls and resulted in the Gauteng Department of Education being criticised for how they handled it. 

In July, 12 matric pupils were suspended for allegedly making racist remarks in a WhatsApp group, and the school principal, who was found to have neglected to address complaints of racism that were initially reported in 2023, was suspended.

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However, following an independent disciplinary hearing, they were found not guilty of the charges levelled against them.

The events prompted former president Thabo Mbeki’s foundation to engage with the school, meeting with the school governing body (SGB) and officials from the provincial department.

The non-profit organisation (NPO) charged that the department claimed the black student was cleared because the 12 pupils were also not found guilty.

Pretoria High School for Girls incident

The organisation stated that after reviewing the WhatsApp conversations, it found no evidence of racism.

However, an investigation by the Gauteng department of education found evidence of racism and recommended that the principal, deputy principal, and other staff members be charged with misconduct. The school is challenging this in court.

Ultimately, as reflected in the South African government’s 30-Year Review of Democracy Report, South Africa has made strides in redressing some of the past inequalities and creating a future with widened opportunities.

“However, more needs to be done,” the report, published during Freedom Month, said.

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