South African schools pledge

South African schools pledge

In February 2008 the South African government started a public participation process to create a pledge (or oath) of allegiance to be recited daily by schoolchildren. The draft pledge is based on the preamble of the Constitution of South Africa.

History

The first official mention of the pledge was on 8 February 2008. In his State of the Nation address, President Thabo Mbeki said: "... we should develop an oath that will be recited by learners in their morning school assemblies, as well as a Youth Pledge extolling the virtues of humane conduct and human solidarity among all South Africans." [cite web|url=http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2008/08020811021001.htm|title=State of the Nation Address of the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki: Joint Sitting of Parliament|publisher=South African Government Information Service|accessdate=5 July|accessyear=2008] The draft pledge was unveiled on 12 February 2008 and opened for public comment. [cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2269309,00.html|title=Pandor unveils school pledge|publisher=News24|accessdate=5 July|accessyear=2008] The intention was to institute it in time for the celebration of Human Rights Day on 21 March. [cite web|url=http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-02-13-govt-mulls-response-to-planned-pupils-pledge|title=Govt mulls response to planned pupils' pledge|publisher=Mail&Guardian online|accessdate=5 July|accessyear=2008] That deadline was missed, however, and the public comment window remained open until 15 May 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.buanews.gov.za/view.php?ID=08040710451001&coll=buanew08|title=Deadline for schools pledge submissions extended|publisher=Bua News|accessdate=5 July|accessyear=2008]

Draft pledge

The first draft of the pledge reads as follows:

We the youth of South Africa
Recognising the injustices of our past,
Honour those who suffered and sacrificed for justice and freedom.
We will respect and protect the dignity of each person,
And stand up for justice
We sincerely declare that we shall uphold the rights and values of our Constitution
And promise to act in accordance with the duties and responsibilities
that flow from these rights.
! KE E: / XARRA // KE
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika [cite web|url=http://www.buanews.gov.za/view.php?ID=08021212451002&coll=buanew08|title=Learners could be reciting pledge by March|publisher=Bua News|accessdate=5 July|accessyear=2008]

Criticism

The description of past injustices has been the focus of early controversy. Opposition party the Freedom Front Plus describing the pledge as an attempt by the African National Congress to instill a "permanent guilty complex" in schoolchildren. [cite web|url=http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-02-17-sa-battles-national-identity-crisis|title=SA battles national identity crisis|publisher=Mail&Guardian Online|accessdate=5 July|accessyear=2008] Other criticism has centered around the wording rather than the intention of the draft pledge.

References


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