Principal is not a racist, say ex-pupils

194 18-02-2013 Mondeor High school held a bash over the weekend and parents found kids as young as 12 years drunk and running around on the streets. Picture: Tiro Ramatlhatse

194 18-02-2013 Mondeor High school held a bash over the weekend and parents found kids as young as 12 years drunk and running around on the streets. Picture: Tiro Ramatlhatse

Published Sep 1, 2014

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Johannesburg - Former pupils and supporters of a Joburg high school principal have come to her defence over alleged racism claims at the school.

This was after some parents at Mondeor High School expressed outrage that racially charged remarks were allegedly made at the school’s assembly last week.

According to The Star’s sister paper, the Saturday Star, several pupils at the school accused the principal, Vangelia Nicolaou, of allegedly telling black pupils they were “blackening the name of the school”.

The pupils said this came after Tuesday’s Matric Day at the school, during which many of them were involved in throwing water in buckets and eggs at each other in what they claim is an annual tradition at the school to bid farewell to matriculants.

It has been reported that two chickens were allegedly kicked to death during the antics after they were brought to school by the pupils and used as rugby balls.

One pupil reportedly said the principal had said it was black pupils who were damaging the school’s reputation.

“She said ‘I’m not being racist, but you guys are blackening the school’s name’,” said the pupil.

Gauteng Department of Education spokeswoman Phumla Sekhonyane said on Sunday she would have an update on Monday on disciplinary action taken against the pupils involved in the incident.

On Sunday night, Nicolaou said she still needed to get clarity from the department on whether she could comment to the media, as she was unaware of the procedures.

The Mondeor principal was in a meeting with the parents of pupils allegedly involved in the incident as well as representatives from the Education Department.

In e-mails sent to the Saturday Star, a former pupil, Amorette Strydom, wrote: “Nicolaou is not a racist and deserves no such accusations.”

Carmen Davids, a former pupil at the school, wrote: “I am a person of colour and Mrs Nicolaou, although firm, has never been racist towards me or any of my fellow students. We have always been on the top of her priority list and she has always been an advocate of legitimate equality.

“Perhaps a term may have been misconstrued, but to defame a woman of such a high calibre would be an affront to a career unparalleled laced only in the best of intentions (sic).”

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