Brackenfell High School Explained

Brackenfell High School
Motto Translation:I hope higher things
Address:Rogland Street
Town:Brackenfell
Province:Western Cape
Postcode:7560
Country:South Africa
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Principal:Jannie Muller[1]
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Brackenfell High School is a public, co-educational high school in Brackenfell, Western Cape, South Africa. It was established on 26 January 1976 on a 1acres plot of land donated by Janet Brink, the widow of Andries Brink.[2]

Controversies

In 2002 parents complained that "demeaning and humiliating" hazing practices were being practiced at the school by some students.[3]

2020 protest

In November 2020, the school was the site of repeated protest action by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The EFF alleged that a parent-organised function for Brackenfell High School students on 17 October 2020 was a whites only event and that presence of two teachers at the private venue was an indication of support for this event.[4] All of the 42 students who attended the event were white.[5] [6]

After damage to an EFF vehicle during an initial protest on 6 November 2020, a small EFF protest was held on the 9 November 2020 resulting in a scuffle with local residents during which some EFF members were assaulted and threatened by Brackenfell residents. Ten days later the Pan-African Congress also staged a small protest in support of the EFF outside the school. The incident was the subject of a parliamentary debate on 19 November during which ANC MP Mondli Gungubele called for calm.[7]

On the 20 November 2020 the EFF organised a larger protest outside the school comprising an estimated 2,000 protestors. A smaller counter protest organised by the Cape Party was also staged on the same day. An Instagram page was started with over 100 stories of racism faced by current and former students of the school.[8] [9] [10]

A report by the WCED (Western Cape Education Department) cleared the school of racial exclusion claims. Many [11]

Notable alumni

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ontmoet ons skoolhoof . Hoërskool Brackenfell High School . 22 November 2020 . Afrikaans.
  2. Web site: Ons storie . Hoërskool Brackenfell High School . 21 November 2020 . Afrikaans.
  3. News: School initiations spark outrage . 21 November 2020 . News24 . 24 January 2002.
  4. News: S Africa anti-racism protests over 'whites-only graduation party' . 21 November 2020 . Al Jazeera . 20 November 2020.
  5. News: Payne . Suné . Return of the EFF: Brackenfell High School braces for Friday protest . 21 November 2020 . Daily Maverick . 18 November 2020.
  6. News: Neves . Jarryd . Lancing the racism boil: In Brackenfell, start with EFF, urges FW de Klerk Foundation . 21 November 2020 . BizNews . 17 November 2020.
  7. News: Khoza . Amanda . MPs debate nonracialism ahead of EFF protest at Brackenfell High School . 21 November 2020 . SowetanLIVE . 19 November 2020.
  8. News: Cruywagen . Vincent . Police and EFF protestors clash outside Brackenfell school as a protest march turns chaotic . 21 November 2020 . Daily Maverick . 20 November 2020.
  9. News: Police disperse crowds with teargas outside Brackenfell High . 21 November 2020 . eNCA . 20 November 2020.
  10. Web site: (@bhstories) • Instagram photos and videos .
  11. News: 7 December 2020. MEC Schäfer: Claims of discrimination will be addressed. EWN.
  12. Web site: Andriëtte Norman besoek alma mater . Netwerk24 . 14 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200418205859/https://www.netwerk24.com/ZA/Tygerburger/Nuus/andriette-norman-besoek-alma-mater-20180529-2 . 18 April 2020 . af . live.
  13. News: Maliti . Soyiso . WATCH: Cheslin has proved them wrong, says proud dad . 14 November 2020 . Independent Online (IOL) . 8 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180909123119/https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/watch-cheslin-has-proved-them-wrong-says-proud-dad-16952315 . 9 September 2018 . live.