Karabo Ngoepe|Updated
The head of Roedean school, Phuti Mogale has resigned after the school was accused of ‘anti-semitism’ in the cancellation of a February 3 tennis fixture against King David High, a school that is openly associated with Israel.
Mogale, who had reportedly been the Anglican school’s head for seven months, resigned last week and this was followed by the resignation of chairperson Dale Quaker from Roedean’s board.
The dispute between the two schools started at the beginning of this month when Mogale pointed out to King David that its girls were unavailable because of a timetable clash and King David accused it of antisemitism because Jewish children would be representing their school.
According to reports, the Roedean principal was concerned about some parents of pupils not wanting their children to play against King David because of its declared association with the goals of the state of Israel.
Reports indicate that Roedean pupils and some of their parents had expressed reservations about playing King David’s participants.
Leaked audio of the conversation between Mogale and King David principal Lorraine Srage a day before the scheduled fixture, indicates that Srage asked Mogale if parents of pupils were objecting to Roedean playing against King David.
“Yes, they are basically saying because of the stance the government took, we are supposed to support that. I keep having to remind them that schools are apolitical first and foremost, particularly in SA-we don’t take a stance like that.”
South Africa has filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice alleging violations of the genocide convention in Gaza.
King David in a statement issued to parents last week said that Srage and the tennis players pitched for the scheduled match and contacted Mogale, who told them that the players were in geography workshops.
“This had also not been disclosed before the teams’ arrival or in the conversation between the heads of school the day before,” King David said.
In another call between Srage and Mogale on February 4, Srage said she did not believe that all the tennis players at Roedean take geography.
“So, the allegation is quite founded in the fact that you did not want to play us because we are a Jewish school.”
Roedean said the tennis match that was cancelled against King David has nothing to do with antisemitism or King David’s Jewish identity.
At the time the incident occurred, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies condemned the incident as prejudicial, warning that it sent a harmful message to Jewish learners.
However, an independent forensic investigation commissioned by Roedean later found no evidence that the fixture had been cancelled because of King David’s Jewish identity.
Instead, it concluded the match was forfeited because academic workshops had been scheduled at the same time. The report also cited failures in leadership processes, communication breakdowns and lapses in judgment at the management level.
The board accepted the findings, acknowledging that its initial understanding of events had been incomplete. A second phase of the investigation is now examining governance and decision-making structures, with the aim of strengthening oversight and clarifying escalation protocols.
The school has not publicly detailed the precise terms of Mogale’s departure, and attempts to obtain comment from her were unsuccessful.
Khaya Thwala of Flow Communications, speaking on behalf of the Roedean board, provided a written response but did not address a direct question about the reasons for Mogale’s resignation.
“In response to your questions, the Board of Roedean School (SA) provides the following statement: Phase 1 of the independent forensic investigation has concluded and the Board has accepted its findings. The investigation found no evidence that Roedean refused to participate in the fixture on the basis of King David’s Jewish identity.”
“The report established that the fixture was forfeited due to academic workshops scheduled at the same time, alongside concerns raised by a number of students that were not managed through appropriate leadership processes. Protocol was not followed, and communication and judgment failures at leadership level compounded the situation,” Thwala said.
She added that the period had been “difficult and emotional” for the school community, with the board focused on restoring confidence and supporting staff and learners.
The board has also confirmed the resignation of its chair and announced interim governance appointments aimed at stabilising the institution while the investigation continues.
Public debate has been intense, particularly on social media. Commentator Jo Bluen posted a strongly worded statement expressing solidarity with Mogale and criticising King David, drawing both support and backlash online.
“But for now, as a former head girl of King David Linksfield who has experienced their tyranny, I am deeply unsurprised but profoundly horrified that King David is prepared to sacrifice its own children at the altar of a wild and violent zionism that is deeply racist and misogynistic.
“It is no mistake that the Head Mistress targeted is a black woman. Zionism is also patriarchal white supremacy! All solidarity with Mrs Phuti Mogale! And deep care for Roedean students, standing up for what is just,” she wrote on Facebook.
The National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) said it was regrettable that the saga had come at the cost of Mogale’s career. The organisation’s Basil Manuel called on parents to avoid drawing pupils into ideological disputes.
“At what point do you, as a parent, stop dragging your children into issues that can be resolved differently? Some of the children don’t even know what’s happening between Israel and Palestine. Some zealous parents pressured the principal, but they are not coming out to say we are responsible,” Manuel said.
“There are a lot of issues out there in the world, but we must be mindful of how we approach them. A good woman, doing a great job, whether pushed or resigned, has had her career destroyed.”
Roedean’s board says its immediate priority is rebuilding trust within the school community. The ongoing investigation is expected to produce recommendations on governance reforms, while interim leadership structures remain in place to ensure continuity.
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies also confirmed that the two schools have agreed to reschedule the tennis match to a later date.
Karabo Ngoepe
iol.co.za
