Human rights body probes 'moffie' slur

A Newcastle school dogged by racial controversy is in the spotlight again, after a Hindu boy was allegedly insulted by a teacher for wearing his sacred red string.

The provincial department of education and the Human Rights Commission (HRC) is investigating a complaint of racism lodged by the father of a pupil at the Afrikaans medium Ferrum High School last Friday.

Grade 11 pupil Yashvir Harbhajan, 17, claims his Afrikaans, Marina Viljoen, teacher allegedly referred to his religion as a "moffie religion" and his string as a "moffie string".

Yashvir, a Hindu, said he told her the string was a part of his religion and asked her not to insult him.

He said the incident took place in full view of his classmates.

School principal Wynand Swanepoel said he was aware of the incident and had asked Viljoen to apologise to the pupil and his family.

"At this stage, I can do nothing more," he said.

Deputy Principal at Ferrum High School Marius Cronje said Viljoen didn't want to talk to the media as the matter was under investigation.

Yashvir said he felt disappointed that people were still stuck in the "dark ages". "I can't stay in that school. I'm afraid I will be victimised for taking a stand against them," he said.

Yashvir's father, Rakesh, said his family went to India at least once a year on pilgrimage, and to consult with their Guru who tied the string.

"The string is symbolic of sacrifice. We wear it with great pride," he said.

He reported the matter to the department's Vusumuzi Patrick Wela who confirmed he would investigate.

The school also made national headlines in March when a white matric netball captain was reported to the police for allegedly making two black schoolgirls drink Purity baby food laced with saliva as part of their initiation at the school.

Three new pupils had joined the team, but only the black girls were made to drink the mixture.

A mother of one of them, who was also a teacher at the school, laid a charge of crimen injuria against the 18-year-old, which sparked tension between the two races .

However, the department of education eliminated race as a motive for the incident in April, since the third girl, who was also targeted was white, but happened to be absent on the day.

Cronje denied suggestions that the school was racist. "Ask the community if it's the school or it's just individuals who are to blame?

"The matter is sub-judice and it is up to the department to handle the issue," he said.

President of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha Ashwin Trikamjee said his organisation condemned the incident.

"To think that some people still do not acknowledge other religious practices is shocking. Our organisation will also lodge a complaint with the HRC."