'Go slow by coloured teachers is about more than just race'

A Joburg resident says a row over the appointment of a black principal has more to do with issues of political marginalization.

Resident and clinical psychologist Gerald called into Xolani Gwala's show to explain how a go-slow by coloured teachers in the south of Joburg - in solidarity with parents of Klipspruit West Secondary - is more than just a racial issue.

Last week, parents shut down the school demanding a coloured or Indian be appointed as principal.

They have accused black educators of victimising their children.

READ: Procedure and principal's race both issues, says Klipspruit community group

Educators from 28 schools are believed to be showing solidarity.

This is a spaghetti ball of issues, but essentially it has to do with people's response to political marginalization, issues around economic access, dysfunctional school systems where people question the fairness, transparency of what is best for them. There is the race identity issue and finally how the media has taken the last point and made it overbearingly just a about race.

Gerlad, 702 listener

He says not all schools are in support of the go-slow as teachers are divided on many issues.

In my research it shows a spaghetti ball of things, and the dry grass is obliviously the fact that an appointment was made and that sparked off this whole list of issues. Race issues as in South Africa find its way into most of the argument.

Gerlad, 702 listener

Civil group , Patriots of Equality, have asked communities around the country to join the go-slow in showing their disapproval of the process that was followed in the appointment of the Klipspruit principal.

We plan on having meetings with teachers and schools so we can ascertain where they are with regards to that, moving forward....

Charice, spokesperson

ALSO READ: Klipspruit West Secondary SGB disbanded, will have to re-elect new one

She has shared Gerald's sentiments and has accused the education department has used race to defend their actions.

That is the card the department of education is playing, the unfortunate thing is the department actually failed the community.. they have now used the race card as a way of defending the fact that they have failed in following the processes when it came to this appointment.

Charice, spokesperson

The said incumbent is not from the area, the said incumbent has a history with the department and certain members within the selection process, the manner in which the incumbent was appointed, there was no proper training given to the SGB with what their role is in the entire process. The fact that the caretaker principal was not even looked at even though he had been in the position prior to the interviewing process.

Charice, spokesperson

Click on the link below to listen to the full audio....

More from Local

More from Politics