‘Curro controversial career day post reveals need for diversity talks’

Brand reputation expert, Solly Moeng, says the country needs to build a society that challenges racial stereotypes.

Moeng’s comments come after a Curro career day picture showing a black child posed as a cashier, while white children were vets, among other occupations, went viral on social media platforms – in yet another racial scandal to rock the country’s biggest private school operator.

A black English and history teacher at a Soweto Curro academy was last year labelled a monkey by her then white boss, among other incidents that have had South Africans hot under the collar in recent times.

Speaking to YNews, Moeng described the career day incident as unfortunate.

He says even though black adults do work as cashiers, it’s important to teach learners that there are other careers they can pursue.

 

Moeng says the alleged racist incident at Curro shows that there is a need to teach children about diversity.

He believes a mindset change among South Africans will allow for such conversations to bear fruit.

“We need to build a country where such stereotypes are challenged,” adds the brand reputation expert.

 

Moeng says children shouldn’t have to go through this kind of incident.

On whether roping in black principals at private schools like Curro could make a difference in ensuring a truly inclusive society where diverse perspectives are welcomed and embraced, Moeng says he doesn’t believe that would help.

“Of course we should create leadership teams that are as diverse as possible – but there are some bad people and good people in all racial groups. We should carefully nurture a society where we normalise everybody; we don’t stereotype people. That is what I think should happen.”

The Gauteng Department of Education has slammed the career day incident, saying it conveys a racially unbalanced narrative about the potential future careers of learners.

“The GDE does not take such racial incidents lightly as they may be cultivating attitudes which reflect a society that has not fully dealt with racism, and this poses a threat not only to the education system and the model citizens it envisages to create but also to a nation that still tirelessly works towards overcoming such attitudes,” the department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says.

Mabona believes that there is an urgent need to investigate the constitutionality of Curro’s value system, and whether there is enough conscientisation of racial equality and human rights across all its institutions and personnel.

Curro has since apologised and deleted the post.

𝗚𝗗𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗗𝗚𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗢 𝗦𝗢𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) acknowledges the statement released by Curro Holdings regarding its recent social media post which conveyed a racially unbalanced narrative… pic.twitter.com/GuYsXD7I77

— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) April 3, 2024

I am deeply troubled by recent racial insensitivity displayed by Curro Holdings. We must ensure that our education system upholds values of equality and respect for all. Immediate action is crucial to address these issues and create a safe, inclusive environment for all learners.

— Matome Chiloane (@matomekopano) April 3, 2024

Curro has since apologised for the incident and deleted the controversial post after backlash from the public.

 

Bathong Curro?? pic.twitter.com/LcBF4v3dCt

— Witness Mandisa (@WitnessMandisa1) March 31, 2024

Stronger together.
This is pure racism.#Curro pic.twitter.com/Dqnl7kDTYy

— Black Forum South Africa (@BlackForumSA) April 1, 2024

 

The Gauteng Department of Education says an urgent investigation is needed at Curro schools, following allegations that racial stereotypes were perpetuated at a career day at the school.

But I say, there’s nothing wrong with being a cashier, all over the world we have cashiers,…

— Sir Cabonena Alfred (@Lebona_cabonena) April 4, 2024