[imagesource: Gallo Images / Jacques Stander]

The unofficial matric dance, allegedly attended by exclusively white students from Brackenfell High School, set events in motion that are showing no signs of slowing down.

It lifted the lid on allegations of systemic racism in the school and attracted the attention of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Last week, the EFF stationed themselves outside of the school. They were met there by Brackenfell High School parents, as well as members of the community, and things quickly turned ugly.

Since then, the fight has evolved into court interdicts, posts on social media, and thinly veiled threats.

According to News24, the EFF has vowed to “ensure nothing operates” as it prepares to engage in further protest action outside Brackenfell High School on Friday.

Exhibit A:

We did say that the terror attacks in Brackenfell will not go unanswered. On Friday we will descend and ensure that nothing operates.

They have pushed us, and they must prepare to be pushed harder.

The WC EFF protest against racism this Friday at Brackenfell High School at 10am pic.twitter.com/uw8Hwuiia7

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 17, 2020

The intention to ‘ensure that nothing operates’ contradicts the red berets’ promise not to disrupt school activities in an effort to fend off an urgent interdict put before Judge Siraj Desai by the governing body.

They have also said that the protest will be ‘peaceful’, but then tweeted this:

All those white racists who have an uncontrollable desire to control the movement of Black People and dictate where we can and cannot go will be taught the humility we taught racists in Senekal

Basithathaphi isibindi esingaka sokuthatha iAfrica bayenze eyabo #EFFInBrackenfell pic.twitter.com/DhT5x9wIcg

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 17, 2020

For a refresher on what happened in Senekal, head here.

The school governing body launched an interdict against the protests, but it was postponed in the Western Cape High Court because it wasn’t ready to be heard. It will now be heard on December 2.

The school has continued to voice its regret and has promised to renew the sensitivity training that they say was disrupted by the pandemic.

Meanwhile, per IOL, police are investigating a case of alleged intimidation of the whistleblower, Ivan Simmers, who publicly shared footage of the private matric dance.

Earlier this month, Simmers had posted about the dance, expressing anger that the black pupils in the class were not invited, with a link to a video of the event.

“I am worried for my family’s safety. That post went all over, and people have been trolling me and saying they will not support my business.”

In screenshots from a WhatsApp group, comments apparently directed at Simmers include: “Plaas wittes die swart gemors vrekmaak magtag( sic)”, “daai gemors het eerste begin die” and a mention of where his child may attend school.

He has also reported being followed while driving with his daughter.

The situation that has emerged out of this event has had a twofold effect. On the one hand, it has drawn attention to an issue, of systemic racism, that needs to be dealt with head-on.

A word from a former Brackenfell High pupil on his experience:

On the other hand, the fiasco that has arisen is detracting from the issues by drawing the focus away from the real problem and shifting it to political grandstanding in tandem with violence from adults in the community.

Students like the one above should be at the centre of the conversation.

Instead, they’re being forced onto the periphery, whilst other students still at the school fear their exams will be disrupted.

[source:news24&iol]