Racist WhatsApp chat sparks cry for prefects’ removal

Learners at Pretoria High School for Girls are demanding the demotion of prefects involved in an alleged racist WhatsApp group.

The school is embroiled in controversy after a leaked group chat revealed derogatory comments, including racial slurs, made by learners about their black peers.

Twelve pupils, including prefects, face disciplinary action over the incident.

The school’s Head Girl is also allegedly involved in the group chat, according to learners.

Emotions ran high outside the school on Thursday, with learners telling YNews that they cannot be led by prefects who engage in racism.

According to the learners and screenshots seen by YNews, some girls in the group chat voiced complaints about their black peers.

One of them read: “How is everything in your favour but you continue to complain and constantly bring up apartheid or the hair thing?”

Other messages said: “This is why Girls High will never be seen as prestigious again” and “we need to start making up our own language, so they know how it feels.”

It’s understood that one participant leaked the chat to the principal, wanting to dissociate herself from the group’s activities.

However, it’s alleged the principal initially ignored the complaints, only taking action after threats of a protest on Friday.

This is the school’s third racism controversy, with a notable one being a 2016 protest over the school’s discriminatory hair policy.

Parents say educators have failed to learn from past incidents and are urging the education department to address the root causes of racism instead of just reacting.

“Every year, there are allegations of racism. The department is just reacting but not putting policies in place to address the racism,” one parent told YNews.

Learners are calling for accountability, including the suspension of all girls active in or complicit with the racist group chat. Written by Naomi Kobbie