WATCH: In case you missed it: MEC speaks, Hoërskool Jan Viljoen parents pour out their hearts
Having sat down with management of Hoërskool Jan Viljoen, Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) MEC Panyaza Lesufi said they've indicated that indeed 'there are challenges of racism at the school' and that the school confessed it was difficult leading the school through a transition. Watch the MECs address to parents as well as the view of parents here.
“To build a truly non-racial South Africa starts in the classroom. If it can’t start there, we will never get there.”
These are the words of Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) MEC Panyaza Lesufi as he addressed Hoërskool Jan Viljoen parents at the school’s Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon, February 20.
He firstly thanked the leadership of the school and chairperson of the school governing body (SGB), the principal, representatives of the municipality as well as district before gracefully apologising to parents for the brief meeting he had with them on Thursday February 17 due to rain. With many left disappointed, the meeting was rescheduled to 16:00 on February 20.
Having sat down with management of the school the MEC said they’ve indicated that indeed ‘there are challenges of racism at the school’ and that the school confessed it was difficult leading the school through a transition.
He added, “However, they’ve taken a stand to reject any form of racism within the school premises”.
The MEC revealed the school is already making inroads to embracing unity and diversity with a RCL camp which was held involving the first-ever non-racial Grade 12 group. The school is also introducing other sport codes which includes soccer. Before he gave parents the opportunity to speak, the MEC concluded with the following.
“You (the parents) are the last part. We will consolidate all the views into a document that we will hand over to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to handle and deal with the matters raised.
Don’t point fingers to each other but rather in a direction we want to go to build a truly non-racial South Africa. We will not allow anyone to sow division,” he said.
See his full speech as well as the view of parents below:
