Official Statement from Kingswood College on recent racism allegations

In the last few days, racism has been a topic of conversation in the Kingswood College community, particularly in the boarding houses and in the classrooms.

Kingswood welcomes conversations of this nature. Courageous conversations that confront ills in our South African society, can make people feel uncomfortable but we need to acknowledge that it is these uncomfortable conversations that challenge unconscious bias.

We acknowledge the anger, hurt and pain which stem from a previously racially divided South Africa in which severe discrimination and gross human rights abuses were the order of the day. Every pupil and staff member deserves to feel valued and their lived experience should be clearly acknowledged.

Unfortunately, twenty-five years after the dawn of the new democratic South Africa, the process of social healing and reconciliation is still taking place in our country and inevitably, at times, spill over into our school life.

A few days ago allegations regarding racist expressions were made against a pupil. Precisely because the College regards any manifestation of racism as abhorrent, and in order to avoid any possible suggestion of bias, we engaged an outside party, a legal expert, to hear the case.

The presiding officer, on the basis of the evidence provided, found both accused pupils not guilty. A number of Kingswood pupils are unhappy with the outcome of the hearing and have expressed their concerns to school management and on social media.

We believe that it’s important that we continue to have difficult conversations and that everyone at the school feels heard. While we have faith in the process we have followed, we are encouraging our pupils to continue to talk to us directly rather than having this debate by means of social media. As such this is an ongoing discussion.

We understand that, as our school is exceptionally diverse, it constitutes a microcosm of South African society and consequently burning South African issues will inevitably manifest themselves here.

We wholeheartedly believe that our diversity is a major strength of our school.

Kingswood College sees this occurrence as an opportunity to continue to debate this incident and issues of concern, in order to produce tolerant, kind, sensitive and, above all, socially respectful, citizens who will, continue to contribute to a generous and racially equal society in which every human being is valued.

We unite as a College against racism.

Dr Colleen Vassiliou

Kingswood College Head