Cape Town -
A Cape Town headmaster is being seen as a spokesman for SA frustrations, after his open letter to President Jacob Zuma went viral on news websites.
Stephen Price, principal of Bergvliet High School, says he has been inundated with letters and phone calls of support since the letter was published in the Cape Argus two weeks ago.
The letter draws attention to a disjuncture between the enthusiasm and potential of matric candidates – Price uses Bergvliet’s Grade 12 class as an example – and the failure of the country’s leaders to create a conducive space for them to flourish as young adults.
“It’s been absolutely unexpected and overwhelming. To me it’s an indication that I touched on a raw nerve in our society. Many people have indicated that they agree with my views and have thanked me for the contribution that my letter made to voicing these,” said Price.
One respondent wrote: “Even if [your letter] does not generate a response from that high office, please be assured that it is a confidence-building piece for those of us who support what it is that you and your band of dedicated teachers are doing.”
Price conceived the letter as he was drafting his speech for Bergvliet’s Grade12 valedictory service.
“I wanted to remind them of what we had taught them, but also to warn them about the uncertain future and tough realities that they were entering outside the school’s safe environment,” he says, referring to Marikana, strikes, political corruption and other problems.
“For me, it is the head of state who needs to be called to task and take responsibility for this sad state of affairs.”
Criticism directed at Price has argued that Bergvliet is a privileged school and for this reason cannot purport to comment on behalf of the rest of the country’s matric candidates and teachers.
“Just look at the subheadings of my letter – ‘respect, unity of purpose, spirit of participation’ – you don’t need money to nurture these principles,” Price said.
Cape Argus