Khadija Magardie A Free State school principal who wrote acid testimonials for a group of matric pupils has dashed the hopes of the youngsters of studying further or getting jobs after school.
The letters of reference from the poisoned pen of the principal of Diphetoho High School, in Botha-ville, near Kroonstad, conclude with the principal’s “best wishes” for the learner – but are preceded by scathing accusations that the pupils were trouble-makers who reduced the school to near anarchy last year. Each of the nearly 20 testimonials confirm that the pupil attended the school, but then go on to say that the particular pupil “was instrumental in ensuring that normal teaching did not take place in 1999”. According to the group of pupils, who have taken up the issue with the local branch of the Congress of South African Students (Cosas), the bitter words in the testimonials are in apparent retribution for a clash over the temporary status of a teacher. Pupils’ demands that the teacher be accorded permanent status flared out of control, leading to protests and rioting at the school. Police were called in after pupils began stoning the principal’s car – an incident mentioned in the testimonials. The reference for one pupil “certifies” that the pupil “was part of a group that demanded the appointment of a temporary educator”. It goes on to add that “this action led to the pelting the principal’s car with stones”. It concludes: “S/he is a very good collaborator in the destruction of the institution.”
The pupils involved say they intend taking the matter up with other members of staff of their former school. According to one former pupil, the principal, M Nyamane, may have had a change of heart about the testimonials, and has apparently begun rewriting some of them. But he added that this could not be confirmed.