South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU)
North West Province
PRESS STATEMENT
3 November 2005
Response to allegations re Unruly Teachers in City Press 30.10.2005
Herewith we reveal the naked truth and expose the motive behind the complaint letter to the Minister of Education by City Lodge Hotel Management, as captured in the 30th October 2005 City Press article.
SADTU Provincial Office noted with great shock and anger the malicious and mischievous letter from Rustenburg City Lodge Hotels addressed to the SADTU General Secretary and the Minister of Education raising allegations of unruly and despicable conduct by members of SADTU Platinum Region (Rustenburg) during their stay in the Hotel on the 19th- 20th August 2005.
Considering the tone of the letter, it is a given that the management of the Hotel had an evil intention to embarrass and humiliate the credible name of SADTU and its members. For sure many people of conscience who read the article noted the exaggerated statements and wondered why? Credible people would further ask why the management did not first complain to the MEC for Education in the Province or SADTU Provincial Secretary?
In the same article both the Platinum Regional Secretary, Mercy Sekano, and the Provincial Chairperson, Mxolisi Bomvana, responded by saying the sordid attack on the organisation borders on pure racist mentality and attitude. We wish to reiterate that indeed the Management of City Lodge Hotel in Rustenburg appears to act in a racist fashion.
Our investigation revealed that this unfortunate story has a background which constitutes the actual motive for the letter. A week before the Platinum Regional Conference our Regional Secretary, Cde Mercy, complained to the National Office of City Lodge Hotels about how he was treated with contempt by one white female Manager (name known to us), who wanted to deny SADTU accommodation at the Hotel notwithstanding confirmations already made with the Hotel. Subsequently SADTU requested the Hotels National Office to intervene and their National Office further undertook to take disciplinary action against this white Manager.
We condemn those of our members who caused unacceptable levels of noise on the evening of the 20th August as they checked in at the Hotel. Coincidently it is this rowdy situation that was exploited by one white Senior Manager (name known to us) to publicly declare his racist attitude by calling our members "pigs" for making a noise.
However, in a subsequent meeting held on Monday, the 22nd August with the Regional Leadership of the Union, concerns around noise levels and the use of foul and derogatory language by the Senior Manger were amicably resolved, hence an apology letter from the Regional Secretary to the Management.
It is worth noting that subsequent despicable allegations were not raised in that meeting. Therefore the union is justified and correct to be concerned as to why these bad and ugly issues were raised for the first time in the letter to the Minister of Education. For the record, this was a SADTU Regional Conference and not a conference of the Department of Education. Why then make an appeal to the highest office in the Union and the Department. Is this how protocol dictates in the Hotel industry or is it an act of revenge because SADTU, which had sought intervention from their National Office, had also exposed the rude behaviour of the white female Manager?
If allegations about the loss of business and damage to property are factual, why were these issues not raised with the Regional Leadership in the meeting? Surely evidence to back up and prove the allegations was still fresh. Secondly, the contract signed between SADTU and the Hotel provides for penalty fees in case of damage to property and improper conduct. It is clear that ulterior motives were at play here.
The key question is why and what is the motive? We further ask ourselves why the leak of the letter to City Press is only coming now, two months after the Regional Conference, and when SADTU, as part of COSATU, is publicly championing the cause of social transformation and exposing racism in the workplace, and highlighting the plight of temporary and ABET educators. Is this a deliberate attempt to divert the attention of the public from real issues affecting the working class and the poor?
Given the above account of events, we believe that the white management of City Lodge Hotel in Rustenburg has to answer the charge of racism and treating blacks as third class citizens - pigs. They seem to have little regard for the professional and personal integrity of our members in Rustenburg and elsewhere who are also their customers. We see this as a total onslaught against SADTU and her membership. They cannot expect us to remain quiet in the face of wild accusations and allegations about our union.
Compiled by SADTU North West Provincial Secretary
Contact Persons:
Provincial Secretary Maropene Seshibe 0828090102
Provincial Chairperson Mxolisi Bomvana 0828090178
North West Province
PRESS STATEMENT
3 November 2005
Response to allegations re Unruly Teachers in City Press 30.10.2005
Herewith we reveal the naked truth and expose the motive behind the complaint letter to the Minister of Education by City Lodge Hotel Management, as captured in the 30th October 2005 City Press article.
SADTU Provincial Office noted with great shock and anger the malicious and mischievous letter from Rustenburg City Lodge Hotels addressed to the SADTU General Secretary and the Minister of Education raising allegations of unruly and despicable conduct by members of SADTU Platinum Region (Rustenburg) during their stay in the Hotel on the 19th- 20th August 2005.
Considering the tone of the letter, it is a given that the management of the Hotel had an evil intention to embarrass and humiliate the credible name of SADTU and its members. For sure many people of conscience who read the article noted the exaggerated statements and wondered why? Credible people would further ask why the management did not first complain to the MEC for Education in the Province or SADTU Provincial Secretary?
In the same article both the Platinum Regional Secretary, Mercy Sekano, and the Provincial Chairperson, Mxolisi Bomvana, responded by saying the sordid attack on the organisation borders on pure racist mentality and attitude. We wish to reiterate that indeed the Management of City Lodge Hotel in Rustenburg appears to act in a racist fashion.
Our investigation revealed that this unfortunate story has a background which constitutes the actual motive for the letter. A week before the Platinum Regional Conference our Regional Secretary, Cde Mercy, complained to the National Office of City Lodge Hotels about how he was treated with contempt by one white female Manager (name known to us), who wanted to deny SADTU accommodation at the Hotel notwithstanding confirmations already made with the Hotel. Subsequently SADTU requested the Hotels National Office to intervene and their National Office further undertook to take disciplinary action against this white Manager.
We condemn those of our members who caused unacceptable levels of noise on the evening of the 20th August as they checked in at the Hotel. Coincidently it is this rowdy situation that was exploited by one white Senior Manager (name known to us) to publicly declare his racist attitude by calling our members "pigs" for making a noise.
However, in a subsequent meeting held on Monday, the 22nd August with the Regional Leadership of the Union, concerns around noise levels and the use of foul and derogatory language by the Senior Manger were amicably resolved, hence an apology letter from the Regional Secretary to the Management.
It is worth noting that subsequent despicable allegations were not raised in that meeting. Therefore the union is justified and correct to be concerned as to why these bad and ugly issues were raised for the first time in the letter to the Minister of Education. For the record, this was a SADTU Regional Conference and not a conference of the Department of Education. Why then make an appeal to the highest office in the Union and the Department. Is this how protocol dictates in the Hotel industry or is it an act of revenge because SADTU, which had sought intervention from their National Office, had also exposed the rude behaviour of the white female Manager?
If allegations about the loss of business and damage to property are factual, why were these issues not raised with the Regional Leadership in the meeting? Surely evidence to back up and prove the allegations was still fresh. Secondly, the contract signed between SADTU and the Hotel provides for penalty fees in case of damage to property and improper conduct. It is clear that ulterior motives were at play here.
The key question is why and what is the motive? We further ask ourselves why the leak of the letter to City Press is only coming now, two months after the Regional Conference, and when SADTU, as part of COSATU, is publicly championing the cause of social transformation and exposing racism in the workplace, and highlighting the plight of temporary and ABET educators. Is this a deliberate attempt to divert the attention of the public from real issues affecting the working class and the poor?
Given the above account of events, we believe that the white management of City Lodge Hotel in Rustenburg has to answer the charge of racism and treating blacks as third class citizens - pigs. They seem to have little regard for the professional and personal integrity of our members in Rustenburg and elsewhere who are also their customers. We see this as a total onslaught against SADTU and her membership. They cannot expect us to remain quiet in the face of wild accusations and allegations about our union.
Compiled by SADTU North West Provincial Secretary
Contact Persons:
Provincial Secretary Maropene Seshibe 0828090102
Provincial Chairperson Mxolisi Bomvana 0828090178
