Race through the eyes of children

---

( THE RACISM REPORT ON SOUTH AFRICAN FARM LIFE)
WHAT FUTURE?

Cover picture: pupil at Hope School
Cover picture and all pictures in this report by Ruth Motau.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This project and report were made possible with funding from the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights and the Foundation for Human Rights.

The report was written by Michael Nefale of Nkuzi Development Association (Nkuzi). The project was a joint initiative of Nkuzi and the National Children's Rights Committee (NCRC).

The research was carried out by: John Mokoele of NCRC; Mike Nefale, Shandukani Khumela and Dan Mobokela of Nkuzi; Jacob Matakanye; John Shiburi; Myriam Mpya; Wendy Ramalepe; Vallerie Ramalepe; Sonia Mthembi; Nnini Letwaba; Cynthia Shavhani; and Wanani Shavhani. Special thanks to Jacob Matakanye for leading the Lowveld team at such short notice.

Thank you to Dr Mashakgane Ramokgopa, a child psychologist from the University of the North, for assisting throughout with project design, training of the research team and many contributions in the writing of the final report. Thank you to John Mokwele for assisting with the final report, Norman Duncan for advice and editorial comments, Mule Ramoloto from the National Council for Family and Child Welfare for assisting in the project design and the training of the research team. Thank you to Marc Wegerif of Nkuzi for setting up the project and assisting with advice and editing on the final report.

Thank you to all the teachers who made this research possible, we wish you much strength in your difficult work. Most of all thanks to the children who shared a part of their lives and many of their ideas. We wish you all the bright future full of opportunities that you deserve.

INTRODUCTION

This is a study of racism as experienced by children on farms in South Africa's Limpopo Province. Racism is the biggest scourge facing the society today because it divides people, hampers development, has potential for civil conflict and manifests itself in violent forms. A society cannot be at peace with itself if there is racism. The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which children living on farms experience racism and how it affects their lives. The research was conducted in three of the six Districts of the Limpopo Province, namely: Waterberg, Limpopo and Lowveld Districts. Children living on farms between the ages seven to seventeen were interviewed about their lives and perceptions of race issues. Group discussions and workshops were also conducted with them. Field observations and interviews with a range of other key informants including parents, farm school teachers and police were conducted. Field research was conducted during June and July 2001. The field research is complimented with a review of existing reports and information on the situain on farms.

This report explains the purpose of the project, the methodology used and then summarises the findings. There is a section discussing the findings, before conclusions and recommendations are reached. The questionnaire used and other information are attached as appendices.

---