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Viral Knysna High School Racism Video Sparks Outrage
A video that shook South Africans
What should have been a spirited cheering session inside Knysna High School’s hall turned into a national talking point. In a short clip filmed by one learner, a female pupil is seen shaking her head before uttering the k-word, then covering her mouth in apparent shock while giggling. The peers around her laugh too. By the weekend, the video had spread rapidly across TikTok and Facebook, drawing anger and calls for swift action.
The school takes action
Principal Mark Mosdel addressed parents and learners in a letter dated Saturday, 23 August. He confirmed that a formal investigation was underway, including interviews, statements, and a report to be handed to the School Governing Body (SGB).
He stressed that Knysna High follows a positive behaviour management system. The disciplinary hearing, he said, would be both corrective and restorative. Sanctions could involve the Western Cape Education Department and community-based intervention programmes. The aim is not only to punish but also to help learners take responsibility, understand the impact of their words, and make better choices going forward.
Community response and cultural concerns
The backlash has not been confined to the school community. Cape Forum chairperson Heindrich Wyngaard said the group appreciated the principal’s transparency but warned against downplaying the seriousness.
“Acts of racism cannot be excused or justified. The use of the k-word must be treated with the seriousness it deserves,” Wyngaard said. Cape Forum has offered to run cultural sensitivity workshops for senior learners, emphasising that education must go beyond condemnation to address underlying attitudes.
The organisation also expressed concern that such incidents may reflect broader sentiments among learners and urged parents, teachers, staff, and local leaders to actively contribute to the educational response.
Why it matters in 2025
The k-word remains one of the most offensive and historically loaded terms in South Africa. While many young people were born after apartheid, the legacy of racism continues to shape the country. The Knysna High case has reopened conversations about how schools handle racism and the role of education in building respect across cultures.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: TeachHUB
