Cape Town, South Africa – A chilling video depicting a mock slave auction at Pinelands High School has broken the internet, sparking outrage and igniting a fierce debate about racism and the enduring legacy of apartheid in South Africa. The incident, captured on a cellphone camera and shared on social media, shows a group of learners, predominantly white, "selling" their black classmates, with bids ranging from R50 000 to R100 000. One pupil even offered to buy his classmate using Bitcoin cryptocurrency.
The video, captioned "Slavery at school is crazy", has sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for swift and decisive action from both the school and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). The incident has also drawn the ire of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who have threatened to shut down the school if they are not satisfied with the WCED's response.
"We vehemently condemn all forms of racism, but this is very shocking," said Mbulelo Dwane, EFF provincial co-ordinator of the party's labour desk. "We are waiting to see what the WCED does but we believe these children should be suspended from the schooling system for at least two years. They should be made to do community service in the black areas along with their parents because where does a 13- or 14-year-old come on this if they are not being taught it at their homes or in their community? We want punitive action and while we will wait for the WCED to investigate, if we are not satisfied, we will protest and close down that school."
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Pinelands community, with many parents expressing their horror and disbelief. Merle Potgieter, whose 14-year-old son was targeted by the group of boys, reported the incident to the school after her son informed her about the attack.
"He is in Grade 8 and the incident took place at the Grade 8 quad on Thursday morning," Potgieter said. "On his arrival at 7.25am, he was approached by three coloured boys who picked him up and tried to place him in the area where they had locked the other boys. They were using hockey sticks and prodding the boys. My son fought them off and showed me the video."
Potgieter's account highlights the chilling reality of racial bullying and intimidation that many black learners face in South African schools. The incident at Pinelands High School is not an isolated case, but a symptom of a deeper societal problem that requires urgent attention.
The WCED has acknowledged the video and labelled it as "disturbing". Spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the school had initiated an investigation into the event, interviewing the learners involved and offering them support, including counselling. Contact has also been made with the learners' parents.
"The school management has also engaged with the staff and learners and will be communicating with the parent community," Hammond said. "The SGB will soon convene to determine the next steps in terms of disciplinary action."
The school has already taken steps to address the incident, suspending a number of learners pending the conclusion of the investigation. In a letter issued to parents, the school acknowledged the seriousness of the incident and its impact on the school community.
"As a consequence, a number of students have been precautionarily suspended pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation," the letter reads. "Further actions will be taken as necessary. Our school has long grappled with the injustices of the past, and this incident serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of our ongoing conversations about race, privilege, bullying, social media pranks, and the impact of our words and actions in both the physical and digital world."
While the school has taken steps to address the incident, the EFF's threat to close the school highlights the deep-seated anger and frustration felt by many in the community. The incident has exposed a deep-rooted problem of racism and prejudice that continues to plague South African society.
