‘They call us Jacob Zuma’s children’

A group of learners are refusing to return to school after they were racially abused by fellow schoolmates.

A group of learners are refusing to return to school after they were racially abused by fellow schoolmates.

Published May 3, 2012

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A group of learners are refusing to return to school after they were racially abused by fellow schoolmates – and even a teacher.

Now their angry parents have pulled the pupils out of their classrooms.

And they are demanding that their kids are given a school of their own.

The shocking race row erupted in the Marvin Park Primary School in Macassar this week.

It reached boiling point on Wednesday after black learners – backed by their parents – boycotted their classes.

One pupil tells the Daily Voice: “They call us foreigners, Bantus, k***** and even Jacob Zuma’s children.

“And some of the teachers also call us names.

“This school is too far and learning is not easy as we do not get along with the coloured children.

“We don’t want to go back to that school anymore.

“We are often told to attend school in Khayelitsha and leave their area.

“We want our own school in our own area where we won’t have to walk for long distances to get to.”

One senior teacher at the school Wednesday night confirmed it has dealt with at least two cases of racial discrimination.

And she admits one of these involved a teacher who is accused of racially abusing a black learner.

“There are two separate cases that we have had to deal with here at the school,” she explains.

“One involves a few learners against one black child.

“And the other was against an educator and a child.

“Both cases were dealt with following the proper procedures.

“It’s a difficult situation, especially with the people from Macassar Village.

“It is not fair for the children but we are dealing with it as best as we can.”

The pupils joined residents at the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday as two men faced public unrest charges after they were arrested during another protest on Tuesday.

Thokolo Makhetha and Khangelani Matshola were released on free bail, but both will have to return to court again next month.

Cops clashed with residents as the protests turned violent on Tuesday.

Roads were barricaded and tyres burnt throughout Macassar Village as residents demanded a Xhosa teaching school to be built near their homes.

Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Casey says they are aware of the problem and are looking into the possibility of building a new school.

“The main concern is the safety of learners who walk through bushes to attend their current school,” Casey tells the Daily Voice.

“Our district office is discussing the viability of a new school in Macassar with the community leadership.”

*This article was published in the Daily Voice

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