A GAUTENG teacher who is also a sangoma is at the centre of a row in which she is accused of performing rituals and influencing pupils.
The Gauteng department of education is now investigating the matter unfolding at Willowmead Secondary School in Lenasia near Soweto.
School governing body vice chairman Mitchell Augustine said the school was in disarray as a result.
He said the principal had received threats on Facebook from pupils supporting the teacher.
"Pupils threatened on Facebook to burn the principal's car and office.
"She once performed rituals at the school and some of the children ran away out of fear.
"There are matriculants who bunk school to practice. She has a following. The whole school is in disarray," Augustine said.
He said the teacher initially wore beads to work, which was allowed. She now dresses in a full traditional healer's attire.
"We do not have a problem with her being a traditional healer but it should not interfere with her work," Augustine said.
He said the teacher had only done 22% of her school work.
At a parents' meeting o n Friday parents gave the SGB the consensus to deal with the issues.
One of the parents, who did not want to be named, said he was worried about his daughter's education.
He said his daughter was confused and she told him stories about the sangoma every day when she returned from school.
However, the creative arts teacher, Zandile Nkomo, who was wearing beads around her neck, hands, ankles and across her chest said she was being discriminated against.
"I only help when a learner gets an attack from ancestors, which is discouraged. They pray for learners who are attacked by spirits all the time and that is allowed," she said.
Nkomo said she had to teach pupils about the s angoma dance in the Spot on Creative Arts Learner's Book for Grade 9 .
"The sangoma dance is part of the curriculum, I wonder what they are going to say."
She reported the matter to the department.
Education department spokeswoman Phumla Sekhonyane said the matter had been referred to their labour relations unit for investigation.
"Any educator or learner who feels that their right to cultural, religious or traditional practice has been violated has the right to report this to the department."
ratsatsip@sowetan.co.za
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Sangoma at school
A GAUTENG teacher who is also a sangoma is at the centre of a row in which she is accused of performing rituals and influencing pupils.
The Gauteng department of education is now investigating the matter unfolding at Willowmead Secondary School in Lenasia near Soweto.
School governing body vice chairman Mitchell Augustine said the school was in disarray as a result.
He said the principal had received threats on Facebook from pupils supporting the teacher.
"Pupils threatened on Facebook to burn the principal's car and office.
"She once performed rituals at the school and some of the children ran away out of fear.
"There are matriculants who bunk school to practice. She has a following. The whole school is in disarray," Augustine said.
He said the teacher initially wore beads to work, which was allowed. She now dresses in a full traditional healer's attire.
"We do not have a problem with her being a traditional healer but it should not interfere with her work," Augustine said.
He said the teacher had only done 22% of her school work.
At a parents' meeting o n Friday parents gave the SGB the consensus to deal with the issues.
One of the parents, who did not want to be named, said he was worried about his daughter's education.
He said his daughter was confused and she told him stories about the sangoma every day when she returned from school.
However, the creative arts teacher, Zandile Nkomo, who was wearing beads around her neck, hands, ankles and across her chest said she was being discriminated against.
"I only help when a learner gets an attack from ancestors, which is discouraged. They pray for learners who are attacked by spirits all the time and that is allowed," she said.
Nkomo said she had to teach pupils about the s angoma dance in the Spot on Creative Arts Learner's Book for Grade 9 .
"The sangoma dance is part of the curriculum, I wonder what they are going to say."
She reported the matter to the department.
Education department spokeswoman Phumla Sekhonyane said the matter had been referred to their labour relations unit for investigation.
"Any educator or learner who feels that their right to cultural, religious or traditional practice has been violated has the right to report this to the department."
ratsatsip@sowetan.co.za
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos