A stock image of Michaelhouse in KwaZulu-Natal. Photo: Michaelhouse website

A stock image of Michaelhouse in KwaZulu-Natal. Photo: Michaelhouse website

BOMBSHELL: St John’s-Michaelhouse derby day cancelled over racial slur

The annual derby day between Michaelhouse and St John’s College has been cancelled following an alleged racial slur.

A stock image of Michaelhouse in KwaZulu-Natal. Photo: Michaelhouse website

A stock image of Michaelhouse in KwaZulu-Natal. Photo: Michaelhouse website

In the latest shocking news to come out the South African sports scene, it’s reported by Sport24 that a Michaelhouse first-team hockey player was alleged to have used a racial slur against a St John’s College opponent during a match between the prestigious schools on Friday evening.

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St John’s College is based in Houghton Estate in Johannesburg, while Michaelhouse is one of the most prestigious private schools in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Michaelhouse student in question has apparently been suspended.

A statement has confirmed the cancellation of the derby day, with the schools agreeing it wasn’t appropriate to go ahead.

“There has been an allegation that, towards the end of the First XI Hockey match between St John’s College and Michaelhouse last evening (on Friday), a racist slur was made by a Michaelhouse player to a St John’s player,” the statement said

“Both Michaelhouse and St John’s are united in condemning all forms of racism and discriminatory behaviour and Michaelhouse, in following its procedures, immediately implemented a precautionary suspension in respect of the boy alleged to have made the racial slur, pending a formal disciplinary hearing.

“In these circumstances, the Heads of both schools have agreed that it is not appropriate for the other hockey and rugby matches planned for today, Saturday 28 June (28 May), to take place and we have cancelled our fixtures.”

Meanwhile, St John’s College council chairperson Thulani Khanyile told Sport24 that they’ll await the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings.

“It is a matter that’s being investigated by Michaelhouse, who are working closely with St John’s to get to the bottom of it,” Khanyile said.

“Our view with regards to racial discrimination is that we have zero tolerance for that and any manner of prejudice in society.

“Let’s allow the investigation to unfold while the kids are receiving the necessary support.”

This latest bombshell news comes just days after parents and pupils from Wynberg Boys’ High School have been left fuming after some pupils from Bishops Diocesan College allegedly took to throwing coins at their opponents’ supporters after losing a rugby game.

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The incident apparently took place during a rugby match at Bishops Diocesan College on Saturday, and was part of the Wynberg Boys’ High School Derby series.

One parent has said around 50 R2 coins rained down on the Wynberg pupils in what appeared to be a classist act of demonstrating who has more money.

“My son is a little too outspoken and told them to stop throwing daddy’s money around and was then delighted to pick up R6. Incidentally, my son is black, and honestly, it could be seen as racist as well,” she said. 

“I’m quite shocked. I think it’s outrageous that the school lets them get away with it. It smacks of elitism and a feeling of superiority that children that age shouldn’t be feeling.”

The yearly school fees at Bishops is said to be around R170 000, while the fees at Wynberg Boys’ are more than R50 000 annually.

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TheSouthAfrican website has now seen a ‘special letter’ that was sent to parents, confirming an apology has been issued, and which further reads – in part – as follows:

“Certain allegation have to come to our attention of incidents that are said to have taken place during the Wynberg rugby derby on Saturday. It is alleged that a small number of our boys tossed coins at our opponents, waved credit cards and chanted derogatory comments at our opposition.

“This was not witnessed by staff who were in attendance who would have noticed such things if they had taken place as a crowd, but was reported to us after the game. If it happened, it was a very small minority of boys.

“We are investigating these allegations with the urgency they deserve and, if found to be true and we can identify those who are alleged to have done this, we will act swiftly and appropriately.

“Behaviours like these need to be condemned in the strongest possible manner. This is not something that we condone nor encourage, and actions designed to belittle another human being or institution have no place in our school nor in society at large.

“It is a sad reality that the actions of a few tarnishes the community as a whole but it is that same community that needs to stand up against such actions and condemn them with all our might. It is deeply embarrassing to us all to be associated in any way with behaviour of this nature.”

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