News24 reports that a group of alumni from Rustenburg Girls' Junior School have been invited by the headmistress to a meeting to discuss their concerns about transformation following the controversial departure of the school's first black full-time teacher.  

A letter was sent to the school by the group of alumni in which they said they were "astounded" that it had taken the school until 2018 to appoint its first black teacher, Nozipho Mthembu, who controversially left in September.  They were also horrified that a child could ask if a black teacher was a "real teacher", as reported by the Mail & Guardian, which covered Mthembu's departure.  Mthembu said she was forced to resign after a fraught period in which her abilities were questioned.  School headmistress, Di Berry, has written back and invited the alumni to visit the school at any time to discuss their concerns.  The parents will in the meantime apparently meet to plan clear strategies for the way forward.  "We are encouraged by the tremendous support we have received by a number of other schools, as well as civil society groups.  We are also encouraged by the position adopted by the principal of Rustenburg Girls' High – where instead of denying and resisting change, he is prepared to listen and act,” they commented.  Meanwhile amid criticism, the basic education department said it employed teachers in line with employment equity laws.

• Read the full original of this report by Jenni Evans at News24

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