Four Duineveld High School learners in Upington, who were suspended after appearing in a viral TikTok video where racial slurs were used, will learn their fate on Tuesday when the results of their disciplinary hearing are announced.
FOUR suspended Duineveld High School learners in Upington will on Tuesday learn their fate when the outcome of their disciplinary hearing is announced.
The four learners, aged 17 to 18, were suspended following their appearance in a viral TikTok video where racial slurs were uttered.
The Northern Cape MEC for Education, Abraham Vosloo, during his budget speech last week, condemned the video and said it goes against the ethics and regulations of not only the national education system, but the laws of the country.
“The racial intolerance and utterances made in the video goes against the norms and values we instil in our learners at schools. It also reverses the gains that we have made over the past 30 years of democracy through diversity, nation-building and social cohesion. All four learners have been suspended and will appear before a disciplinary hearing. Both the chairpersons of the portfolio committees of education in Parliament and the provincial legislature will receive a comprehensive report after the investigation and disciplinary processes have been concluded,” said Vosloo.
Northern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe said the department has implemented programmes in collaboration with the school to prevent and eliminate any potential future incidents.
“The department has partnered with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to host workshops for the learners at Duineveld High School on their rights and responsibilities, the use of social media and accountability. Duineveld High School is also busy engaging a social media expert for an open dialogue with learners on the dangers of social media. A management plan will be developed for Duineveld High School to prevent similar future incidents,” said Van der Merwe.
He commended the school for treating the matter with the required urgency.
“The incident served as a wake-up call to institute constructive programmes and interventions in schools that seek to address racial undertones, racial tolerance and racism in schools. The department is working with Duineveld High School to ensure the successful implementation of these programmes as from October 2024.
“The department is satisfied with the manner in which Duineveld High School has dealt with this matter. We can assure the public that the school has acted in accordance with the prescribed legislation and the school’s code of conduct. The department will monitor the progress of this case closely and will provide the necessary support to Duineveld High School,” Van der Merwe concluded.
