Karabo Ngoepe|Published
Questions have emerged about the circumstances surrounding the departure of former Roedean School (SA) principal Phuti Mogale following the controversy over the cancellation of a tennis fixture against King David Linksfield.
The controversy began when Roedean forfeited a scheduled tennis fixture against King David Linksfield. Recordings later circulated publicly of conversations between Mogale and King David principal Lorraine Srage.
Following the incident, allegations circulated in public commentary and on social media suggesting that the match had been cancelled because King David learners are Jewish. Roedean apologised after the allegations surfaced and subsequently commissioned the independent investigation.
The board stated that established leadership processes had not been followed in handling the matter but did not attribute individual responsibility.
Roedean announced Mogale’s resignation in February, following the incident that sparked public debate and prompted an independent investigation. The school did not provide details about the circumstances that led to her departure.
Sources familiar with developments at the school, who asked not to be named, have alleged that Mogale’s resignation followed internal pressure linked to the controversy. The precise circumstances of her departure, however, have not been publicly detailed, and the school has not indicated whether it resulted from a mutual agreement, a disciplinary process or a voluntary decision.
One source claimed that discussions within the school took place after the incident, which may have contributed to the leadership change. Roedean has not confirmed those claims.
The school said its focus remains on the findings of an independent forensic investigation commissioned after the fixture was forfeited.
“The investigation 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,” the board said in a written response.
“The protocol was not followed, and communication and judgment failures at the leadership level compounded the situation. The Board has accepted these findings.”
According to the board, the investigation did not find evidence that the cancellation of the match was motivated by antisemitism.
Roedean stated that routine communication between the two schools, ahead of the scheduled fixture, formed part of the review process, but declined to comment on individual discussions between staff members.
The school confirmed that a second phase of the investigation is underway, which will examine broader governance and procedural issues.
“The Board will not comment on leaked material or unverified allegations in the public domain,” it said.
During the investigation period, Mogale and the chair of the Roedean board stepped aside from their positions.
King David did not respond to detailed questions about the recordings or whether they had been edited before circulating publicly.
Rabbi Ricky Seeff, the general director of the King David Schools network, responded briefly when asked about the issue.
“King David appreciates the way Roedean handled the issue and we consider the matter closed,” he said.
The dispute has also attracted international attention. Writing for Middle East Eye, journalist Azad Essa reported that a voice note circulated within the King David school community in which deputy principal Bruce Nozaic referred to the fixture and said it did not take place “because the kids who will be walking onto the courts are Jewish”.
Essa reported that, after Roedean apologised and launched its investigation, King David and Jewish communal organisations indicated that they wished to restore normal relations between the schools.
The same report also cited comments from some parents and students who argued that the reasons some Roedean learners were reluctant to participate in the match had not been fully addressed publicly.
According to Essa’s reporting, some parents and students linked the issue to political sensitivities related to the conflict in the Middle East. The report said tensions dated back to a previous fixture hosted by King David in 2024, where some learners reportedly raised concerns about security arrangements and displays expressing solidarity with Israel.
Essa wrote that some Roedean learners told the school they had felt uncomfortable during that earlier visit and later requested that the return fixture be forfeited.
Recordings that circulated online ahead of the scheduled match captured a conversation in which Mogale contacted Srage to discuss objections raised within the Roedean school community.
During the call, Mogale referred to differing views among parents and said schools should remain apolitical institutions focused on education.
In a later conversation, after the match had been forfeited, Srage allegedly indicated that the situation could be interpreted in different ways and said the school was consulting legal advisers.
Roedean said it remains committed to constructive engagement with King David and indicated that any future sporting arrangements between the schools would be handled directly by the institutions.
Mogale was approached for comment and declined. The board confirmed that the second phase of the investigation is ongoing and that no final conclusions regarding governance matters have been reached. As a result, the circumstances surrounding the leadership transition remain subject to internal review.
Karabo Ngoepe
iol.co.za
