Pupils speak out after ‘kffr’ Halloween party

A halloween party in Windhoek over the weekend turned controversial after two teenagers allegedly dressed up as black people, wearing ‘kffr’ tags.

The party was hosted at one of the pupils’ homes on Friday, after which several parents lodged complaints with the school one of the pupils attends.

Several social media users condemned a photo of the two pupils with their faces painted black, wearing ‘Kffr 1’ and ‘Kffr 2’ tags on their vests.

The word ‘kffr’ is a derogatory term that was used to refer to black people as slaves during the apartheid era.

Halloween is celebrated worldwide on 31 October annually. It originates from All Hallows’ Eve, the day before the Christian feast of All Saints’ Day, and is associated with traditions like wearing costumes and carving out pumpkins.

The two pupils cannot be named since they are minors.

According to some black pupils who were present at the party, the costumes made them “feel mocked and uncomfortable” as the white pupils imitated their race.

“Even though the event did not take place at our school, it reminded us of various occasions where the school would have events and not consider the black race,” a pupil told The Namibian yesterday.

In a leaked letter to parents yesterday which The Namibian has seen, the school where one of the pupils attends, Deutsche Höhere Privatschule, deputy principal Carola von Blottnitz apologised to the affected pupils on behalf of the school and said the involved pupil has also apologised. She said the school is aware of the incident, but confirmed it did not take place on the school’s premises.

“We have involved the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture and sought advice on how to proceed in this case in accordance with our own disciplinary rules, but also the prescribed state rules,” she said.

“The school’s internal rules make it clear that any form of discrimination will not be tolerated and can result in the highest form of disciplinary consequences, depending on the circumstances of the misconduct, the willingness to show understanding and the support of parents,” she said.

Von Blottnitz said the ministry is investigating the matter, since pupils from other schools were also involved. It could not be established which school the other involved pupil is from. She said the school has dealt with the issue, but did not divulge more information.

The education ministry has allowed the school to take legal action against newspapers reporting the school’s name or staff members’ names, she said when The Namibian reached out to her for comment.

“We can sue you if you mention our names. The party did not happen at our school, it was a private event,” Von Blottnitz said.

Education minister Sanet Steenkamp yesterday, however, said she was not aware of the incident, but added it is unacceptable.

Steenkamp, who is currently in Uzbekistan for the Unesco Education Commission General Conference, said she would take full action on the matter upon her return.

WHAT IS ‘BLACK FACE’?

The BBC says ‘blackface’ is a historical practice that dates back to around 200 years.

It is seen as racist and many people find it deeply offensive.

It commonly refers to someone (typically with white skin) painting their face darker to resemble a black person. Blackface has also been a practice through which black people were mocked for the entertainment of white people, with negative stereotypes promoted across the United States and Europe.

In the early 19th Century, white actors, called ‘minstrel performers’, used to paint their faces black and perform racist comedy routines about black people.

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