LISTEN: Concerned Cornwall parents decry lack of transformation despite promises
A number of concerned parents at Cornwall Hill College have slammed the prestigious school for failing to see through its promises of racial transformation.
The Tshwane school was thrust into the spotlight earlier this year when black pupils made chilling claims of racism.
Scores of pupils and parents later gathered there to protest against the alleged racism and a lack of transformation at the school.
School officials admitted to falling short on transformation, vowing to turn things around.
But following Tuesday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), some parents have accused the school of rejecting calls for transformation.
“The Diversity and Transformation Committee (DTC)set up by the school late in 2020 to guide the transformation journey, made a recommendation to extend the Board from 16-20 members to kickstart the journey. This would have made it possible for the Board to usher in 4 new black directors,” said Zibusiso Kganyago, a parent at the school.
“However, parents voted against the extension affirming that the nearly 90% white Board must remain, also implying that no additional directors, who are people of colour would be welcomed onto the school’s white Board.
“The AGM was a clear indication that the Board too is not committed to transparency, inclusion, good governance and putting an end to racism,” Kganyago added.
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Kganyago further raised concerns about the school’s attempt to silence their concerns.
“Using COVID as an excuse for a muted AGM, the Board opted for a platform that disabled voice integration thereby disallowing a proper engagement between the Board and its members,” she said.
“This is even though all other school engagements since Covid have successfully been held virtually allowing for verbal inputs from parents.”
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) was roped in to probe the allegations of racism at the elite Irene school in June.
Last week, the commission asked for written submissions as it continues its probe into allegations of racism at Cornwall Hill College in Irene.
In a bid to meet the process halfway, the school opened its doors for the commission to review its policies, procedures, and code of conduct for pupils.
But Kganyago further pleaded with school management to come to the table and do more.
Listen to Kganyago below:
