Motshekga must apologise for 'racist' comment: EE

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga should apologise publicly for a "racist" statement she made last week, Equal Education said on Monday.

"Minister Motshekga refused to discuss the racist and misleading statement she released last week. She has suggested a separate meeting about the issue," the organisation said in a statement.

"EE will take up this opportunity to meet. We demand that minister Motshekga retract the statement and issue a public apology."

The non-governmental organisation said it met Motshekga, deputy minister Enver Surty, and education MECs in Johannesburg on Sunday.

During the meeting, Motshekga refused to discuss the "racist" statement, EE said.

In the statement last week, Motshekga said EE was a "group of white adults organising black African children with half-truths".

She was reacting to EE's announcement that it was taking her to court for breaching an agreement to publish the minimum norms and standards for school infrastructure by May 15.

She said the re-drafted norms and standards would take at least six months to complete.

The matter is expected to be heard in the Bhisho High Court on July 11.

EE said that although the meeting with Motshekga was "robust, frank and constructive", no agreement was reached.