This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7267027.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Outcry in SA over 'racist' video | Outcry in SA over 'racist' video |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Several white students in South Africa face criminal charges after allegedly forcing black campus employees to eat food that had been urinated on. | |
A video has surfaced which appears to show the students instructing five elderly workers to drink beer and perform athletic tasks. | A video has surfaced which appears to show the students instructing five elderly workers to drink beer and perform athletic tasks. |
At one point, the University of Free State employees are apparently forced to eat food which has been urinated on. | At one point, the University of Free State employees are apparently forced to eat food which has been urinated on. |
The rector at the university has strongly condemned the video. | The rector at the university has strongly condemned the video. |
Students and staff joined a protest march at the campus in Bloemfontein, and student groups say they are now planning to call nationwide anti-racism demonstrations. | Students and staff joined a protest march at the campus in Bloemfontein, and student groups say they are now planning to call nationwide anti-racism demonstrations. |
All these issues must be brought forward so that all the people of South Africa can see that racism is still a dominant feature in South African society Siviwe VamvaSouth African Students Congress | All these issues must be brought forward so that all the people of South Africa can see that racism is still a dominant feature in South African society Siviwe VamvaSouth African Students Congress |
The video was reportedly recorded in protest at moves to integrate black and white students in the same residences at the University of the Free State. | The video was reportedly recorded in protest at moves to integrate black and white students in the same residences at the University of the Free State. |
The BBC's Mpho Lakaje says the university is known for having predominantly white students since the days of apartheid. | The BBC's Mpho Lakaje says the university is known for having predominantly white students since the days of apartheid. |
In recent years it has encountered difficulties trying to integrate people from other racial groups, and the latest incident is viewed by many as a clear indication of racial intolerance, he says. | In recent years it has encountered difficulties trying to integrate people from other racial groups, and the latest incident is viewed by many as a clear indication of racial intolerance, he says. |
'Upset' | 'Upset' |
The video shows five black people allegedly being instructed by a group of white students to down full bottles of beer, reports our correspondent, who has watched it. | The video shows five black people allegedly being instructed by a group of white students to down full bottles of beer, reports our correspondent, who has watched it. |
Students rallied near the campus, and other protests are planned | Students rallied near the campus, and other protests are planned |
The university workers are then led to a playing field where they are told to display their athletic skills. | The university workers are then led to a playing field where they are told to display their athletic skills. |
But it is the final extract of the film that has angered members of the public. It shows a white male urinating on food, and then - shouting: "Take! Take!" in Afrikaans - apparently forcing the campus employees to eat the dirty food, and causing them to vomit. | But it is the final extract of the film that has angered members of the public. It shows a white male urinating on food, and then - shouting: "Take! Take!" in Afrikaans - apparently forcing the campus employees to eat the dirty food, and causing them to vomit. |
The alleged perpetrators are current or former students at the University of the Free State, say reports. | The alleged perpetrators are current or former students at the University of the Free State, say reports. |
Its rector, Frederick Fourie, told the BBC that he was "extremely upset about the incident". | Its rector, Frederick Fourie, told the BBC that he was "extremely upset about the incident". |
"We are having a management meeting. And there's a strong condemnation of this from everybody concerned," he said. | "We are having a management meeting. And there's a strong condemnation of this from everybody concerned," he said. |
The university says it has begun procedures to suspend the students allegedly implicated in the video, and says the alleged victims have received psychological support. | The university says it has begun procedures to suspend the students allegedly implicated in the video, and says the alleged victims have received psychological support. |
Protests | Protests |
On Wednesday, hundreds of black students and workers from the institution handed over a list of demands to management. | On Wednesday, hundreds of black students and workers from the institution handed over a list of demands to management. |
Siviwe Vamva, from the South African Students Congress, said the group was planning to call a national strike on Thursday 6 March to raise the profile its anti-racism campaign. | Siviwe Vamva, from the South African Students Congress, said the group was planning to call a national strike on Thursday 6 March to raise the profile its anti-racism campaign. |
He said racism was also still a problem in other universities. | He said racism was also still a problem in other universities. |
"It's not only the University of Free State," Mr Vamva said. | "It's not only the University of Free State," Mr Vamva said. |
"We are saying that all these issues must be brought forward so that all the people of South Africa can see that racism is still a dominant feature in South African society." | "We are saying that all these issues must be brought forward so that all the people of South Africa can see that racism is still a dominant feature in South African society." |