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


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • SOUTH AFRICA — SOUTH AFRICA, republic comprising nine provinces – Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North West, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, and KwaZulu Natal. Prior to 1994, when multiracial democracy was introduced, there were four… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • African American history — is the portion of American history that specifically discusses the African American or Black American ethnic group in the United States. Most African Americans are the descendants of captive Africans held in the United States from 1619 to 1865.… …   Wikipedia

  • South Africa — Republic of, a country in S Africa; member of the Commonwealth of Nations until 1961. 42,327,458; 472,000 sq. mi. (1,222,480 sq. km). Capitals: Pretoria and Cape Town. Formerly, Union of South Africa. * * * South Africa Introduction South Africa… …   Universalium

  • African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955–1968) — American Civil Rights Movement redirects here. For the earlier period, see African American Civil Rights Movement (1896–1954). Prominent figures of the African American Civil Rights Movement. Clockwise from top left: W. E. B. Du Bois, Malcolm X,… …   Wikipedia

  • List of South Carolina state symbols — The State of South Carolina has many official state symbols, holidays and designations and they have been selected to represent the history, resources, and possibilities of the state. The palmetto and crescent moon of the state flag is South… …   Wikipedia

  • Timeline of African-American Civil Rights Movement — African American topics History  Atlantic slave trade · Maafa Slavery in the United States Military history of African Americans …   Wikipedia

  • Timeline of the African-American Civil Rights Movement — This is a timeline of the African American Civil Rights Movement.1600 – 1799See also Racism in the United States.1676 *unknown Both free and enslaved African Americans fought in Bacon s Rebellion along with English colonists. 1739 *September 9 In …   Wikipedia

  • Oath of allegiance — Benedict Arnold s Oath of Allegiance, May 30, 1778 An oath of allegiance is an oath whereby a subject or citizen acknowledges a duty of allegiance and swears loyalty to monarch or country. In republics, modern oaths specify allegiance to the… …   Wikipedia

  • education — /ej oo kay sheuhn/, n. 1. the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life. 2. the act or process of… …   Universalium

  • religion — religionless, adj. /ri lij euhn/, n. 1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”