UPDATED: This story has been updated with the school’s response…

Somerset West Private School has had to change an image that featured on its website, after it was alerted to the fact that pupils from the 2018 matric class could be seen giving a Nazi salute.

I know kids will be kids and all that, but somebody really wasn’t paying attention when they uploaded the picture in question.

The error (we hope) first came to the attention of the school after a Twitter user pointed it out last night:

There’s raising a hand in class, and then there’s a full-blown Nazi salute. This is clearly the latter.

Tomfoolery at the back, Nazi at the front:

TimesLIVE made contact with the school this morning:

The school was founded by Morne Coetzer, who is the principal and owner. There is no governing body.

Coetzer’s wife Nicolene, who works as the school receptionist, told TimesLIVE the picture had been removed from the website on Wednesday morning.

Over on the school’s site, here’s the image that now greets you on the homepage:

Most certainly an improvement.

She [Nicolene] would not say who posted the original picture, or when. A colleague initially told TimesLIVE Coetzer was teaching and would be available at 10.15am, but his wife said he would not be available until 5pm.

“We’ve already changed the picture and we are investigating,” she said.

“We will work on a statement. I am not authorised to speak to the media.”

Again, mistakes happen, and it’s been rectified, but the statement should make for interesting reading.

The school’s ‘About’ section is certainly incongruous with the image first uploaded:

We provide staff, parents and learners with an environment which nurtures social, academic and spiritual strength. Within our intense focus on the development of accountability, responsibility and respect in addition to the recognition and acceptance of individuality and diversity, we allow learners to embrace their own perfection and brilliance…

The philosophy of Ubuntu involves the understanding that we are because of others. The act is defined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu as being approachable to and affirming of others, without feeling threatened by their talents or abilities, since we form part of a greater whole. Therefore collaboration and teamwork are vital Core Values, since our individual happiness and success lies in the happiness and success of our team.

To pupils who are thinking about throwing up a Nazi salute when the photographer says ‘now do a crazy, fun picture’, I would suggest you go back over what you’ve been taught in history class.

UPDATE: The school has now released a statement to the media:

“Somerset West Private School’s primary objective is to maximise the academicachievement of its learners. We do not promote or support any particular political or religious views. Learners are encouraged to develop as individuals, think freely and to express themselves freely, provided that such expression does not impair the dignity of others.

It has come to our attention that there have been objections to a matric photo where some learners give what appears to be a Roman salute. While we don’t believe that the learners intended to offend anyone, we have removed the photograph from the website.”

A Roman salute? Could have fooled me.

From a follow-up TimesLIVE story:

Italian fascists started using the Roman salute in the 1920s. It was adopted by the Nazi party led by Adolf Hitler and became compulsory for all German public employees in July 1933.

It is a criminal offence to use the Roman salute in Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria. Section 86a of the German Penal Code provides for punishment of up to three years in prison for anyone using the salute.

I’ll leave you to make up your own mind…

[source:timeslive]