afrol News, 1 April - South African officials have announced their desire to launch investigations into the extent of racism and other forms of discrimination in the country's higher education.

According to the official spokesperson, Lunga Ngqengelele, a ministerial committee is expected to look into discrimination based on gender, ethnicity and disability in the education system, especially in university residences.

After accomplishing its mission, the committee will draw recommendations on how to combat all forms of discriminations in the schools of the multi-racial country. It will also outline advice on how to promote social cohesion among different communities.

Chaired by Professor Crain Soudien of University of Cape Town's School of Education, the committee's other members include the Chief Executive of the Human Sciences Research Council, Dr Olive Shisana and acting Rector of Vista University, Professor Sipho Seepe.

The probe followed the numerous protests against the shooting of a racist video at the University of Free State.

Four white students of Reitz men's residence in the university campus - Johnny Robert, Roelof Malherbe, Schalk van der Merwe and Danie Grobler - were accused of shooting a video in September, featuring black cleaners kneeling down eating the fouled food.

University authorities did not only condemn the "racial bombshell", but they also penalise the two final year student suspects.

The women victims later recounted their ordeal to press, saying the students had betrayed them by showing a completely different version of the film they had earlier seen.

"We trust these children, but that trust was completely broken," embittered cleaners said.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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