These were the sentiments of Northern Cape Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Chairperson, Aubrey Baartman, who was part of the Brackenfell High School protests in Cape Town.
THE FIGHT and eradication of racism is a national responsibility and not just a provincial one.
These were the sentiments of Northern Cape Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Chairperson, Aubrey Baartman, who was part of the Brackenfell High School protests in Cape Town.
According to Baartman, he not only went to support his party, but also as a concerned citizen regarding the number of racist incidents which still exist in the country.
“This matter is not only a Western Cape fight but a national fight. Racism in South Africa needs to be urgently addressed. We stay in a country where some white people believe they are the owners of the country and want to regulate other citizens. We have to send a clear message that we will not support such notions. This is not a fight against black and white but we need to eradicate the mindset of some individuals who believe they are in control of everyone else,” said Baartman.
He said the incident at Brackenfell is not isolated.
“What is disturbing is that many learners at Brackenfell High School are coming out to state how racist the school is. As adults in this country we need to restore the dignity of our children. We cannot allow our children to be educated under oppressive circumstances. We need to stand up and fight for what is right. There are schools even in the Northern Cape where incidents of racism have been reported. One such matter is at Northern Cape High School. We will be addressing this (Northern Cape High) on Tuesday. Such incidents where our children are being ill-treated and discriminated against, will not be tolerated. It is time we stand together against such incidents,” he said.
The EFF has called for the suspension of those who were apparently part of organising a farewell for only white learners at Brackenfell High School.