Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

9 February, 2017

Wynberg Girls' High School - Hostel Superintendent not guilty of misconduct.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

Towards the end of last year, allegations were made against the superintendent of Waterloo House, the hostel at Wynberg Girls High School.

The WCED conducted an investigation into the matter. The school also commissioned an independent investigation, the report of which they have submitted to myself and the HOD.

It is clear from both investigations that this case is a classic example of the kind of hysteria that can be whipped up by people who are irresponsible and have no regard to the reputational damage they can cause to others.

In total, there were 19 allegations against the superintendent.

Probably the two most serious allegations were that the superintendent had referred to black learners using a racist term in an incident that had occurred at the beginning of last year and that she had touched learners inappropriately.

Both of these allegations were found to be without foundation. In the case of the first, the superintendent had in fact called a meeting with the girls because of language she had heard when the girls were speaking to each other. According to one version, the superintendent said that she had heard the girls calling each other the "k" word. In another, the superintendent allegedly said that the word the girls were using was as bad as if she had called them the "k" word. At no stage did the superintendent call anybody by that term.

With regard to the allegations of inappropriate touching, the evidence shows that the superintendent had kissed and hugged the girls when they returned to the hostel in what can only be described as a motherly way. Apparently some of the older girls did not like the display of affection, but this can hardly be described as sexual predatory behaviour, as has been made out in the media.

In respect of the rest of the allegations, there were one or two incidents in respect of each case where the superintendent did or said things that the girls did not like or where the girls interpreted them in a way that portrayed the superintendent negatively. In many of the issues, the superintendent was simply doing her job. The evidence shows that she had a good relationship with the majority of the girls at the hostel. The impression given in the report is that the superintendent had a genuine concern for the welfare of the girls.

It was clear that there was cause for some unhappiness regarding the management style of the superintendent. But this was blown up into "more than it was", after consultation by the girls with an "external organisation" that they refused to name. This organisation, according to our report, instructed them to make their issues "more than what it is" to get the attention of the media and social media.

It saddens me that this kind of behaviour has happened at a school with an excellent reputation. If learners have legitimate grievances, they must of course raise them in an acceptable manner. But it is just not on to inflate issues to get attention, and in the process harm the reputation of others.

The superintendent terminated her contract in agreement with the school.

The school has already, even before this incident, embarked on a process of transformation, and is looking at, inter alia, ways of improving their mechanisms for learners to lodge their grievances.

I am confident that the school has the matter in hand, and appeal to people to raise legitimate concerns in an appropriate and responsible manner.

Media enquiries:
Jessica Shelver
Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 076 175 0663