Picket outside Maritzburg school after race rant

Members of the National Health Education & Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) and some Pietermaritzburg Girls' High School alumni picketed outside the school on Wednesday morning following the suspension of a Grade 11 pupil over a racist rant.

The picket comes ahead of a march against racism – organised by the ANC Youth League – which is due to take place on Friday.

The Grade 11 pupil was suspended on Tuesday after two audio clips of her expressing outrage circulated on social media.

The voice notes‚ understood to have been sent from the girl to another person‚ state: "I am so offended right now…f******k k*****s don’t know how to pronounce my name…they are going to get it from me on Monday.

The consternation stemmed from her name being spelled incorrectly by a peer.

The KZN Department of Education has assembled a panel of officials to investigate the matter‚ with MEC Mthandeni Dlungwana condemning all forms of racism.

The pupil‚ understood to be a boarder at the school‚ will remain suspended until the investigation is complete.

-TMG Digital/TimesLIVE