Staff Reporter.
The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has cleared Brackenfell High School in Cape Town of racism and discrimination.
The school, which is based in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, made headlines back in 2020 after a group of pupils hosted a private matric ball that excluded pupils on the basis of race.
An initial investigation, conducted by the provincial Department of Education, found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the school.
It said the event was a private function organised by a group of pupils following the cancellation of the official event.
On Thursday the SAHRC exonerated the school and the organisers of the bash.
“The evidence before the commission exonerates the school from the planning, funding, advertising or hosting of the event,” said spokesperson Gushwell Brooks.
The commission also found that the school and the organisers “did not directly or indirectly discriminate against grade 12 pupils on the grounds of race”.
The school’s official matric farewell had been cancelled due to Covid-19 regulations. The private party was organised by a parent for her daughter and friends at a wine farm, with tickets costing R500. The invitation was widely circulated via WhatsApp and Facebook and by word of mouth. The ball was attended by 42 pupils from Brackenfell high and 30 from surrounding schools.
In the wake of the incident, the school said it would fast-track the formation of a diversity committee and plan activities to improve pupil interactions across different backgrounds. Workshops facilitated by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation would also be held for the staff.