Alleged discrimination against Tsotetsi

Abel Tsotetsi (16) from Mapetla who graduated to high school from primary school last year said his first week of high school life was supposed to be joyous and making new friends, but claimed it was turned to misery after two high schools turned him away because of his height.

The lad’s father, Norman Tsotetsi, said he was disappointed to see teachers denying his son entry to school because they referred to him as a midget.

“At Mapetla High School we were told that my son would not be accepted at the school because he was too short for high school.

“From there we went to reported the matter to the district and they gave us a letter to take to the school and even with the letter, he was not accepted because ‘his height and age are a problem and the school’s policy doesn’t accept that’.”

Abel said: “The more they refuse me entrance at schools, the more I lose out on education because the syllabus is going on and I am out here struggling to get a school due to my condition.

“This is a curse to me as a human, people must accept us as human because we did not choose to be like this, all I want is to be treated like a human being that I am and not be robbed of my right to education.”

Efforts to get comments from Mapetla High School were unsuccessful, but the school administrator who introduced herself as Diana, said she knows the problem the boy is facing.

“Yes there was a problem relating to the boy concerning his age and height, but I think by now the matter has been resolved and he was allocated space at the school.”