[imagesource: Ted Eytan]

It has just been announced that the chairperson of the Council of Cape Town’s prestigious private school, Bishops Diocesan College, Crispin Sonn, has handed in his resignation with immediate effect.

This follows his “unacceptable, offensive and egregious comment” (per Daniel Bloch, the Executive Director of Cape South African Jewish Board of Deputies) on Facebook regarding his opinions on the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine.

The offending post left a rather bitter taste in the mouths of the Bishops Council, resulting in Sonn apologising for expressing his views. But one can assume his sorry did very little to turn the tide against him, as pressure mounted from all sides leading to his eventual resignation.

Daniel Bloch took to IOL to call out Sonn’s half-hearted apology, noting how “Sonn did not apologise for making highly offensive and racist comments, nor did he apologise for discriminating against anyone or for making defamatory accusations. He simply insinuated that we, the readers, had misinterpreted his comments.”

“Furthermore, his comparison of Zionists to Adolf Hitler is highly offensive and disrespectful to the memory of 6 million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis, under Hitler’s reign of terror. Any mention of Hitler with regard to the Jewish community can only be intended to cause extreme hurt and pain. His accusation of Zionists being racists and of dehumanizing other people is highly defamatory, insulting and incorrect and leaves no room for any alternative interpretation.”

You can read everything Bloch had to say about Sonn over here. And below is Sonn’s offending post, which has since been deleted.

Image: Screenshot from Facebook

You can also check out the apology that Sonn shared following the backlash when he posted the above in October:

Image: Screenshot from Email

Speaking on Voice of the Cape’s PM Drive show, a teacher and member of South African Jews for a Free Palestine, Rina King, said the approach on the school’s end “shuts down critical thinking and restricts people from sharing their views.”

“There are many academics throughout the world who have been silenced, and we expect this in America since it is an imperialist power that ensures their imperialist positions are being brainwashed into their school students,” remarked King.

“We don’t expect this in South Africa, and it is shocking that freedom of speech and various positions cannot be addressed in South Africa as people are being threatened after taking a stance on matters,” reiterated King.

Similarly, Human Rights Commission’s Chris Nissen said Mr Sonn has all the right to express himself.

“If I was a member of the board, I would say Sonn has the right to express himself – whether he speaks for the board or the governing body is to be determined by the governing body. Education is about intellectual debates, and intelligent debates and views should never be restricted,” expressed Nissen.

Regardless, the pressure and backlash reached a fever pitch and Sonn is now officially off the council. It is worth mentioning that stepping down under pressure is basically being asked to leave so it might be more accurate to say that he has in fact been fired.

Part of the recent statement from the Bishops’ Council and School regarding Sonn’s resignation reads as follows:

Crispin took over this role at an important time in our school and has led the Council over the past two years through many challenging times with empathy, strategic skill, dedication and great wisdom. As Chair through our 175th year, he can look back on a job well done, this year in particular. Crispin held oversight over some remarkable achievements including the Ubuntu Learning Centre, a new Rowing Centre, the consecration of the Brooke Chapel and dedication of the three special stained-glass windows, the writing of the updated history of the school along with the many sporting and cultural festivals and activities. The academic programme was stronger than ever with Bishops achieving the number one position in the NSC academic results in 2023 in the Western Cape as well as running concurrently the new A Level programme which will have its first set of results this year. All of this and still coming in with a break-even budget, the lowest yet levels of bad debt and solid reserves that reflects the very strong financial position of the school – managed by the school but with his oversight and ultimate accountability.

The role of Chair of Council is not an easy one, with many functions to fulfil and many meetings and public events to attend. Crispin has done so with dignity and aplomb and we recognise and acknowledge the important role he has played in support of the school. His approachable nature and ability and willingness to engage with a wide range of people has helped resolve many a challenge along the way and we are very grateful to him for all he has done for our school.

We will miss his firm yet fair approach to a myriad of issues and the manner in which he has made people feel heard and valued. We wish him and his family well and thank him for the supportive role he has played over the past two years.
Council would like to reiterate the core values of Bishops being humility, integrity and respect. The Council encourages open dialogue, transparency and differing opinions in a respectful and constructive manner and encourages the community to unite behind these values and the shared vision of the school.

The Council subsequently resolved to elect Dr Chris Haw, an existing member of Council as interim Chairperson. Chris has 18 years of experience in business leadership and has served on the Council for eight years. He will ensure the ongoing work of Council is sustained and oversee the tasks at hand, including appointment of new Council members as soon as possible.

Shjoe, these are divisive times we live in.

[source:iol]