Rondebosch Boys High is reportedly giving serious consideration to its relationship with Paarl Boys High after alleged racist remarks were made towards pupils during last weekend’s derby matches between the schools.
The two schools faced off across various sporting disciplines in the annual derby over the past weekend.
It is alleged that two separate incidents of racial abuse took place during the derby matches.
According to a statement made by Rondebosch headmaster Shaun Simpson, the first incident happened during the 1st XI hockey match on Friday evening, when a black Rondebosch player was called a monkey and hooting noises were made towards him. The game was called off and officially recorded as a 0-0 draw.
A similar incident allegedly took place during the 2nd XV rugby match on Saturday, when a black Rondebosch player and Paarl Boys player were sent off for an altercation, but the Rondebosch boy was visibly upset by monkey chants being made in his direction. Paarl Boys High won the match 32-5.
In a letter sent to parents on Monday, Simpson said that he will take the first step of communicating what happened to Paarl Boys, before taking the next step of reporting it to Western Province Hockey and Rugby to request an investigation.
“I will communicate my concerns in writing to the management of Paarl Boys,” Simpson wrote, quoted by Independent Online.
“While I have no ability to control what steps the school may or may not take, I would hope that they go through introspection and an investigation of their own.
“I was sent a voice note from a black scholar at Paarl Boys decrying what occurred and so on the balance of probabilities, I can only conclude that what has been reported is exactly what happened.”
Rondebosch head boy Nathan Ball expressed his solidarity with the boys who had racist comments directed at them in a statement on the school’s Facebook page.
“It was a sad moment for me when racist comments that should have no place in our schools were directed at one of our first team hockey players,” Ball said. “This left us no choice other than to forfeit the match which we gladly did in protest. What caused further disappointment was that this continued on Saturday at the rugby. I was disheartened to realise just how far we are from a place of acceptance and unity in some of our schools.
“Rondebosch does not support discrimination against another person in any shape or form. Above all else, we strive for unity, treating one another as equals, remembering that the future is held in our hands. We realise that our actions have consequences and leave a legacy for future generations and we should therefore not take this lightly.
“It is these values of respect, acceptance and pride in our diversity that we, as the young men of Rondebosch, should carry proudly wherever we go. I urge you all to remember who we are. Let Bosch be the example to others on how we conduct ourselves in these situations and keep our flag flying high.”
Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images
The post Racism allegations rock Cape derby appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rondebosch Boys High is reportedly giving serious consideration to its relationship with Paarl Boys High after alleged racist remarks were made towards pupils during last weekend’s derby matches between the schools.
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