Northern Cape educator faces backlash after 'blackface' incident

A NORTHERN Cape high school teacher who sparked outrage after a video surfaced of him at an apparent team-building event wearing a curly wig and with his face painted black has been placed on precautionary suspension.

- SANDI KWON HOO

The incident follows an unrelated matter in which a pupil from the same school, Duineveld High School, repeatedly used K-words in a TikTok video in September 2024.

The Northern Cape Education MEC, Abraham Vosloo, who met with the school principal and school governing body (SGB) on Wednesday, announced that the precautionary suspension of the teacher would come into immediate effect to protect the integrity of the investigation.

“It will ensure that it is conducted without bias or interference. Whether the incident was unintentional or not ... a nonracial society begins in the classroom and requires the active participation of every one of us,” said Vosloo.

He said that the head of labour relations in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, Aone Leboko, would lead the inquiry.

“We call on all staff members and learners at Duineveld High School to cooperate with the investigator to ensure that all facts are uncovered and justice is served.