Middelburg - The DA and the Mpumalanga education department condemned on Friday an alleged incident of racial segregation at Hendrina Combined School, near Middelburg.
The Democratic Alliance's provincial spokesman Anthony Benadie said he was told on Thursday of a plan that would have black and white pupils hold separate matric dance events.
“[We received] information from angry parents who were... notified at a meeting for the English matric class that the school's white parents and scholars had decided to host their own matric farewell, and that the black learners must hold their own,” said Benadie in a statement.
The department said they were not aware of the incident but were looking into it.
“The department condemns any form of discrimination based on race, sex or colour that may take place in any of its schools and will institute a probe into this matter,” said spokesman Jasper Zwane.
The principal of the school Arthur Williams said he could not comment on the matter.
“I have been instructed not to speak to the media,” he said.
According to the DA, white parents cited “cultural differences” as the reason for the separate events.
Benadie said he telephonically engaged with Williams on two separate occasions.
“During the first he stated that because the school was unable to pay for a matric dance, the required funds were raised by a parents' committee.”
However, in the second discussion, Benadie said Williams changed his stance, saying that the school was hosting a combined farewell which all learners were invited to attend. - Sapa