[imagesource: YouTube / Racism Is Wrong]

North West education department officials visited Hoërskool Rustenburg today to investigate after a TikTok video of four matric prefects giving the Nazi salute while singing a German song went viral.

In the video, you can see four students on stage with outstretched right arms, like that of the ‘Heil Hitler’ salute used during WWII to pay homage to Adolf Hitler.

The school was enjoying a karaoke competition during break time last week when students requested to sing a rendition of ‘Erika’, which, per Cape Town Etc, is a song associated with WWII.

The North West school  immediately came under fire after the video did the rounds on the TikTok account Racism Is Wrong:

@racism_is_wrongHoerskool rustenburg is racist.♬ original sound – racism is wrong.

You can also watch it on YouTube if you prefer.

Seems like students in the crowd were also pretty invested in the salute.

The school released a statement (in Afrikaanse on Facebook) condemning the discriminatory action and confirming that disciplinary action was taken immediately.

The students involved, some of whom were reportedly prefects and top academic achievers, were identified and their parents informed, the school’s authority, Mr Visser, said:

Visser added that the governing body is not only concerned about the damage to the reputation of the school, but also over the lack of awareness around social issues that have been brought to light. He further expressed that plans would be implemented to increase awareness about discrimination.

“Discrimination at any level is unacceptable as it infringes on others’ space to grow,” said Visser.

This is not the first time such a hand gesture has caused outrage after being used by South African students.

[source:capetownetc]