Hoerskool Ben Vorster, in a statement to Swisher Post, not only condemned Erhard for hurling the k-word at a renowned YouTuber, Sonwabile but also vehemently denied any and all “direct family link” between the school and the learner.
Hoerskool Ben Vorster responds to Erhard backlash
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The Tzaneen-based secondary school was thrust into a race row after one of its pupils was caught on camera hurling a racial slur toward Sonwabile during a chat roulette session on Kick.
Sonwabile, visibly shaken, cut off the feed and posted the disturbing clip on social media, prompting web sleuths to track down and expose Erhard and the girl who sat beside him, shockingly amused at the use of the k-word toward a person of colour.
In a statement, Eddie Vorster, chairperson of the school governing body, confirmed that the matter is under investigation.
“The governing body strongly condemns the incident. It is in direct contrast with the values of the school and is in no way a reflection on the culture of inclusivity at the school,” Eddie Vorster wrote.
Part of the school’s response to Erhard’s disturbing racist incident was to report the matter to the Limpopo Department of Education and “a conversation with the learner and his parents also took place.”
“The learner has shown remorse and realises that his behaviour was unacceptable,” Vorster added.
Will Erhard face any disciplinary action for racist incident
While it’s unclear if Erhard was suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, the school did indicate that “in the case of minor children, adult role-players have a duty to educate.”
“As with all sanctions against learners in a disciplinary context, any potential sanctions in this case will be based on the duty to educate. In other words, not only punishment but positive behavioural change,” the SGB chairperson explained.
In light of the incident, Hoerskool Ben Vorster vowed to develop programmes “to inform learners of the various aspects of the school’s ethical code of conduct.”
“It is not enough to know the values of the school. Learners should also know what these values look like in their everyday lives, inside and outside the school,” Vorster added.
Neither Erhard nor his family has issued a public apology to Sonwabile. The victim of the racial attack has, as far as we know, also opted for silence amid rising tensions.