Grade 8s offal initiation
2008-01-16 09:08
Leané du Plessis
Johannesburg - A Grade 8 pupil at Hoërskool Alberton has told how a group of them had to undergo initiation rituals that left some of the boys in tears.
A member of the boy's family, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, said the Grade 8 group had to swim through "baths filled with offal" and were pelted with eggs "until some of them began to cry".
The children got together last Tuesday before school started to get to know the school grounds a bit better.
"They were made to get into tiny pools filled with fowl trotters and cattle tripe and had to slide around in that mess.
"Those who dared to go to school with shoes on had them taken off and thrown into toilet bowls. Some of the children went home without shoes."
"I can understand innocent games, but when there's deliberate humiliation it's not acceptable," she said.
The woman said other people were afraid to come forward.
When Beeld newspaper spoke to some of the Grade 8s at the school this week, most of them said it had been "fun".
"Eggs were broken on our heads and fish paste, sardines and syrup was rubbed into our hair. But, it was all fun," said one.
Sophie Venter, the teacher in charge of the student's council, said about 200 pupils were divided into groups of seven and from 09:00 to 11:00 they were shown around the school, where they also took part in innocent "boeresport".
Offal, eggs were involved
She admits there was some offal involved, but says it was "cattle tripe, clean as a whistle, and fowl trotters that one can buy at a supermarket".
"That offal is cleaner than your facecloth at home."
When asked if the children were pelted with eggs, she replied, "there were eggs involved".
She denied that children's shoes had been thrown into toilet bowls.
Headmaster Hendri Schoeman said no children had been forced to take part in the day's activities.
"No child's dignity was impaired. There were parents who told us beforehand that they preferred their children not to take part.
"Everyone laughed at the activities and enjoyed them."
Schoeman said that parents who were unhappy could speak to him.
"We will keep it strictly confidential."
Panyasa Lesufi of Gauteng Education Department confirmed that an inquiry had been launched.
- Beeld