George teacher suspended after video shows pupil left out of ‘Pie Day

March 12, 2026 327

The Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) has suspended a teacher from Thembalethu Primary School in George after she allegedly humiliated a Grade 1 pupil who could not afford to participate in the school’s “Pie Day”.

A widely circulated video of the incident shows the young boy sitting with his head bowed at his desk while his classmates eat pies and drink juice.

In the clip, the teacher can be heard instructing other pupils not to share their food with him.

It is understood that the learner’s mother could not afford to pay for the event.

@amke2611

Couldn’t she share small pieces from theirs and give to the kid?! What is she saying in the end? “Yonke into yalapha e classin uyikhutshelwe ndim, namhlanje ndikhuphele umntana umzali wakhe ongakhange a”…. Where’s the full video??

♬ original sound – amke2611_yola

The department has since launched an investigation into the incident and says psychological support has been offered to the child and his family.

The incident sparked community outrage, with scores of parents and residents marching to the school yesterday, demanding the teacher’s immediate removal.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU), has condemned the alleged conduct of the teacher, saying her actions negate the very values that educators are expected to uphold.

“As a Union that defends the rights and dignity of education workers while also upholding the highest professional standards, we strongly condemn such conduct,” national spokesperson Nomusa Cembi said.

“The apparent humiliation of a learner is completely unacceptable and does not represent the values of the teaching profession.”

The union added that teachers are expected to uphold the rights of learners to privacy and confidentiality, avoid any humiliation, and refrain from any form of abuse.

SADTU says it will ensure that the Department of Education follows due process in investigating the incident and in taking the necessary steps in line with applicable labour and professional regulations.

The video has triggered widespread outrage online, with many social media users accusing the teacher of publicly shaming the child for his poverty, while others say the incident highlights deeper issues of class inequality in schools.

Influencer Mandisa Tshingana has raised over R30,000 for a learner from Thembalethu Primary School in the Western Cape after a viral video showed him sitting without food during a R40 school pie day.

The clip sparked outrage as the teacher filmed while other learners ate.… pic.twitter.com/wRCKtbDech

— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) March 11, 2026

The mother of that Child who was humiliated at that school by that teacher has been unemployed for two years, hence she could not afford to buy a pie for her child.

This is the kind of pain that we as black people have to undergo and we ask why the black child grows up to be… pic.twitter.com/2eu2ElNQzT

— Msunu ka Johann Rupert (@ZizinjaAbelungu) March 11, 2026

Evil teacher! 💔 pic.twitter.com/IvpIj99SDf

— Pro Jileka (@MVProJileka) March 10, 2026

We thank the Teacher for shaming the poor boy, now she is definitely gonna lose her job. And the young King will definitely receive donations. Let’s work together to find the poor boy! pic.twitter.com/jOSwIjEfGS

— Slaughter. (@BafanaSurprise) March 11, 2026

That video of a teacher who didn’t give 1 child in class a pie, while every child ate theirs, broke my heart, man. People are so cruel 💔 😢

— Sparkle💫 (@Neliswa_Nelli) March 11, 2026

Now imagine how many ‘pie’ videos aren’t recorded and posted

The number of kids humiliated on a daily basis because they lack…many end up resenting the classroom and checking out completely 💔. This teacher could’ve shown compassion but she chose to publically humiliate a child…

— Xoli Zondo (BScHONS, MBA, PDM) (@XoliswaZondo) March 11, 2026