MAY 2021
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Iftaar Time
Academics support Heathfield High head
“Drop the Charges” By: Education Reporter
Once again Parents, teachers, activists learners went to protest at the new premises of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) in Lower Long Street. They came out to voice their support for Heathfield High School principal, Wesley Neumann who faces dismissal for defying an edict from the WCED. His supporters protestors outside the offices of the department demanding that its new head of department (HOD), Brent Walters, drop all charges. Provincial secretary of COSATU, Malvern De Bruyn also threatened that the union would to go protest at the house of Brent Walters because he reneged on his agreement earlier in the week to accept the memorandum outside the offices of the WCED. More than 50 academic staff from 10 SA Higher education institutions have also added their voices for Walters to drop all the charges. The academics say, “ drop all the charges”. They believe that the charges and the ongoing and protracted
disciplinary hearing are grossly unfair, unjust and selective. “ They detract from efforts to create an environment at the school conducive to learning, teaching and administration,” they say. In these uncertain and unprecedented times, the matter of school attendance should be resolved through collaborative and ongoing discussion and decision-making in the interest of the school’s learners.
Ronélle Raubenheimer, presiding officer of the hearing.
Wesley Neumann should be applauded, not punished for his engagement with the school community about the safest way forward at this difficult time. The fact that the disciplinary hearing has had no less than 18 sittings to date seems to indicate that the WCED is struggling to make the charges Mr Neumann
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faces stick. In addition, the presiding officer of the hearing refused to have a teacher witness testify against the WCED. A member of the Labour Relations Department of WCED visited this teacher at his home and claimed the WCED would offer him a post if he testified against Mr Neumann. The teacher refused to do this, and this blatant act of bribery has been reported to the police. We call on the WCED to drop these punitive, ill-considered and illegitimate charges against Mr Neumann. We also call on all fellow academics to support this demand for the withdrawal of these unjust charges. We are concerned about the negative impact this action has on the functioning of the school, the education of students, the morale of the teachers and the stress on the parent body. As an educator who has a deep concern for the well-being of his students and teachers, Mr Neumann should be allowed to do what he does best. That is, to lead a reputable school that recently celebrated 60 years of sterling work and produced many prominent members of our society.
Falooda for Ramaphosa: PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa was invited to an iftar hosted by the MJC and the ANC at the Islamia Hall in Lansdowne. DONATE FREELY TO THE FUND FOR NEUMANN Target R250 000
Currently R28 000
SUPPORT HEATHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY This is a call to all the little people to help us, the Heathfield High school community, to prevent the dismissal of our principal, Mr. Wesley Neumann. For years teachers and principals who have spoken out against officials in WCED have been victimised or dismissed, and we are determined to ensure that our principal does not suffer the same fate. Six charges were laid against Mr. Neumann, one of which contained verbatim quotations of his letter to Mr. Schreuder. Much of our ‘fight back’
campaign involves litigation. In the past, most actions and defensive actions failed because of insufficient funding. WCED is able to dip into state coffers and are generous to themselves when they do so. It is in this regard that we ask for your support. We intend to raise R250,000-00. BANK: STANDARD BANK ACCOUNT NAME: HEATHFIELD HIGH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ACCOUNT NUMBER: 03808 7111 BRANCH: BLUE ROUTE BRANCH CODE: 051001 SWIFT CODE: SBZAZAJJ REFERENCE: #HANDSOFFWESLEYNEUMANN
Jews for Justice
“Let us work together and debate, not discipline and punish,” say the academics.
Rashieda Purcell hands over the memorandum to the chief director of districts, Alan Meyer
The memorandum was accepted the WCED’s chief director of districts, Alan Meyer.
Thousands of protestors picketed in front of Parliament’s gates in solidarity with the Palestinians. The picket was organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.