Media representation in South Sfrica

“Beware the Schoolboy:
When Media Narratives Change Children into Monsters”

Beware the Schoolboy

In this essay I examine the way that violence in South African schools has been reported and represented in national print media. Although I mention other incidents, I focus on the way in which Mfundo Ntshangase’s death is currently being represented in the media. In order to supplement information gained from newspapers such as The Times, Sowetan, Mail & Guardian, Die Beeld, The Star and The Pretoria News, I draw on online news sources such as News24 and Independent Online. I begin by briefly outlining the way in which similar incidents have been represented. In cases where I am able to identify bias in the reporting, I systematically compare these biases in order to discover if they are unique to a particular newspaper, or in fact a common trend uniting them. Drawing on insight gained from such comparisons I briefly consider how factors such as gender, race and culture are implicated in the way that this and other violent incidents have been reported. Finally I explore the way in which the various newspapers have chosen to present this subject to the audience in an effort to establish the possible implications of a particular kind of representation. I argue that although race remains a prominent issue in contemporary South African society, there are other elements such as class and culture that are beginning to eclipse it as primary motivator in the contest for representation. I do this drawing on the works of Allen & Seaton (1999); Brewer (1984); Colebrook (2000); De Fleur (); Farred (1992); Fordred (1997 ); Green (2003); Hirshberg (1993); Jay (1994); Johnson (1991); Kowalewski, McIlwee & Prunty (1995); Kozol (1995); Milkie (2002); Moulder (1997); Pedelty (1994) and Spitulnik (1993).




The Chicken or The Egg?

I became aware of the connection between the way violence in schools was being portrayed in the media and the possible negative impact on future youths after reading Johnson’s (1991) article. While Johnson (1991) chose to focus on the effect negative representation was having on black children, I did not want to limit my analysis to a particular race and by supplementing his argument with insight gained from others such as Colebrook (2000); Farred (1994); Hirsberg (1993); Milkie (2002); Moulder (1997) and Spitulnik (1993) I was able to form a more holistic view encompassing not only race, but culture and gender as well.

False Promises

During the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) launch of the World Report on Violence and Health that took place in 2002, the Health Minister Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang made a speech in which she acknowledged that violence had an impact on people’s health and in which she claimed that the health department was taking active steps in an effort to neutralise this bane on society. She discussed a joined effort with the department of education to reduce the violence in schools and is quoted is saying: “This has two goals: The one is to reduce violence levels in schools themselves and the other is to assist school age children to cope with their problems without resorting to violence”. Even before this in October 2000, News24 reported on a speech given by President Thabo Mbeki in which he deplored violence in schools and encouraged the Ministry and the Department of Education to increase their efforts and “make schools safe and free from crime and violence”. In the years following, these articles the image of violent schoolboys has been such a constant feature in the representation of violence in schools that new negative stereotypes revolving around gender and culture are surpassing old ones based on race.

What a Violent Country

Violent behaviour in South Africa is not a new phenomenon, and judging by articles such as those mentioned above, neither is violence in schools. This means that the current ‘crisis in schools’ has been brewing in the background for at least seven years, periodically resurfacing when a new incident forces it yet again into the public eye. Representing the same type of cyclical behaviour described by Kowalewski, McIllwee & Prunty (1995). Every time the issue comes up, the same promises are made by public figures and for a while newspapers are filled with stories updating on their progress, but before long new issues emerge that push ‘violence in schools’ to the background till it slips out of mind yet again. At least until the next prominent incident once again brings the issue to public attention and the whole cycle begins again.

A year ago on 10th and 24th of October 2006 Mail & Guardian and The Star ran stories lamenting the high levels of violence in South African schools. The article published by Mail & Guardian on the 10th revolves around a specific incident in which a 18 year old pupil was stabbed and killed by a 14-year-old boy from the same school. The focus of this article is on how difficult it is to recruit new teachers to what is becoming a dangerous profession and the shortages that will eventually follow and the incident is used solely to support the Department of Education’s claim. This article proved to be a typical example of the way in which the Department of Education uses violent incidents is school as a ‘tool’ for increasing their own media exposure, manipulating a tragic event to their own advantage and cheapening a family’s loss for political mileage.

The Star article takes a sensationalised approach, reducing nine incidents to by-lines surrounded by colourful language. The headline “School violence spiralling out of control” gives an indication of what is to come, and the theatrical version of events that follows doesn’t disappoint. Together Cembi, Tau & Molosankwe weave a tale filled with axe attacks, stabbings, drug busts and a suicide. All encased in a selection of dramatic phrases in an apparent effort to lend extra flourish to these already grim events.

Neither of these two papers do much to create even the illusion of objectivity and the image of responsible journalism envisioned by Khaba Mkhize in 1994 (Fordred:1996 ) remains nothing more than a lofty ideal. In Fordred’s (1996) article Mkhize laments “lazy journalism” which he attributes to “state of emergency days when you were not allowed to write what you saw”. Very little seems to have changed in the 13 years that have passed since the incident in 1994 that these remarks are based on. Most of the reported comments originate from outside of the schools in the form of spokespersons for either the police, the government itself or various government affiliated organisations. Journalists seem as keen as ever to take the official statements at face value, without doing any significant amount of investigation on their own. On the rare occasions where input is sought from various parties involved, any contradictory statements are downplayed or simply dismissed altogether. The Times seems to be the exception to this general rule, but their “recent” devotion to contradicting the government tarnishes the contribution they make.

Objectivity Who?

Two trends in the way violence in schools is represented distinguish themselves early on. First there is a complete lack of objectivity, with a particular point of view being shamelessly promoted. And secondly is the fact that teenage boys are demonised in the public eye. Schoolboys are systematically being ostracised to the margins of society. Lopsided reporting in these stories reinforce this negative stereotype and the media is playing a pivotal role in the alienation of young boys. Stories like these transform those accused into nameless, faceless monsters and by making it clear that these anonymous monsters are “out there stalking the streets”. Neither the journalists nor their editors seem to consider the possible future effects of these representations, focussing on sensation and sales figures instead. Given the fact that this negative stereotype has been constantly promoted and reinforced by the media in recent years, one wonders why everyone seems so surprised when schoolboys conform to it.

It’ Not About What you Know, but Who You Know

The most recent string of articles surrounding the issue of violence in schools, only managed to garner significant public attention after newspapers reported on Mfundo Ntshangase’s murder. And even this only happened after it became clear that this wasn’t just any schoolboy. After it was revealed that Mfundo was a senior pupil in King Edward VII school in Johannesburg and the only son of the deputy director of the Gauteng education department, the amount of exposure awarded to the incident increased significantly. From 9 stories in 7 newspapers on the 17th of September up to 18 the very next day. In the papers that I chose, the incident was either directly reported or mentioned while reporting on similar cases in a whopping 114 articles. This is by far the highest number of articles dedicated to such an incident.

Almost as telling as the amount of attention lavished on the incident is the nature of the reporting surrounding it. The vast majority of articles reporting the incident go out of their way to portray both Mfundo and Thabo Linda in a positive light. Mfundo is depicted as a peaceful sports enthusiast with a bright future and is quoted as saying “the more you sweat for peace the less you bleed for war”. Thabo is cast in the roll of hero who stood alone against the attackers in a valiant effort to save a life long friend. While these boys were being canonised on the one hand their “attackers” were dehumanised and demonised in the media, with very little research to confirm Linda’s version of the story. The way that the Athlone boys accused of killing Mfundo got depicted in the media is a completely different story. Depicted in the press as “drunk”, “gatecrashers” suspected of “bloody murder” after a “vicious stabbing at a house party”. On the 20th The Star published an article “KES stabbing: pupils take sides” in which Serrao & Eliseev held impromptu interviews with random pupils at the Ghandi Square bus terminal. None of the pupils interviewed were involved with the incident in any way, yet their views were used to legitimise the demonised image created by the media of the Athlone boys in question. Using phrases such as “While pupils were mixing among themselves, the pupils from Athlone Boys’ High stood alone” and quotes that imply a violent school history to reinforce the negative image they seek to promote. “We stay away from the Athlone boys because they are known to be bullies” a pupil from Jeppe Boys’ High School is quoted as saying a sentiment that is echoed in the other statements. A girl from Greenside High School even claims to be scared because of a rumour that “Athlone Boys would be at their school” later in that week.

Missing Pieces

Despite my best efforts, I could find no articles in any of the newspapers used reporting a violent incident involving Athlone Boys’ high pupils prior to this incident. Raising the question why the news media was so eager to cast the five Athlone pupils involved in the incident in such a bad light. None of the boys aged between 16 and 18 years old have a previous history of being violent. Out of the seven boys who were eventually arrested only one remains in jail while the others have been released into their parent’s custody. And despite the hype the suspect who remains in jail isn’t even an Athlone pupil.

Two Sides To Every Story

An article penned by Isaac Mahlangu was published in The Times on the 23rd of September describes a situation so far removed from what has been reported to date that, if true reveals a shameless bias on the part of newspapers when it comes to reporting on public figures and members of their families. The headline “cops were warned party was heading for a disastrous end” manages to introduce new information into the equation, as well as being openly accusing. Despite the obvious way in which events have been sensationalised, the claims made by the neighbour and The Times seem to be confirmed by the police. Mahlangu describes a house party that got completely out of hand with an estimated 160 people attending and taxis standing in the street at 3am in the morning with their music blaring. The behaviour of the party goers included “drinking beer and ciders, smoking dagga and urinating on lawns.” When one compares this with earlier images of a small private KES birthday party where the unruly gatecrashers attacked and killed one of the KES pupils, there exists rather a wide gap between these two representations.

If You Can’t Find Something New To Say, Find Another Way to Say it

At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theory from a b-movie, I have to say that the South African press have gone from being the puppets of a racist white government to being the puppets of a corrupt black one. Throughout the article I have avoided bringing the issue of race into my analysis of the reporting, this is not because I am turning a blind eye to racism in South Africa or denying its existence in the world. My unwillingness should rather be understood as an attempt to focus on the issues impacting on the current subject that I see as the main culprits responsible for the current situation.

Drawing on the way which these incidents have been reported I argue two separate yet related conclusions to these facts. Firstly is that the South African news media has been systematically stereotyping schoolboys, grooming the image of a violent schoolboy in order to replace old stereotypes such as those reported by Farred (1992 ) that have fallen out of favour in recent years. Second is that the amount of control the South African government has over the press spell out a very clear warning about the credibility of the news we are receiving.



References

• Brewer, J.D. 1984 ‘Competing Understandings of Common Sense Understanding: A Brief Comment on ‘Common Sense Racism’ in The British Journal of Sociology, Vol.35, No.1. (Mar., 1984), pp. 66-74
• Colebrook, C. 2000 ‘Questioning Representation’ in Substance, Vol.29, No.2, Issue 92. (2000), pp. 47-67
• Fair, J.E & Astroff, R.J. 1991 ‘Constructing Race and Violence: US News Coverage and the Signifying Practices of Apartheid’ in Journal of Communication 41 (4): 58-74
• Farred, G. 1992 ‘Unity and Difference in Black South Africa’ in Social Text, No. 31/32, Third World and Post-Colonial Issues. (1992), pp. 217 – 234
• Green, L.F. 2003 ‘Raconteur, Jester, Listener, Survivor: Khaba Mkhize’s Strategies for conflict reducing journalism in KwaZulu Natal South Africa’ in Trickster’s way Volume 2, Issue 2, Article 4
• Ignatief, M. 1997 ‘Is Nothing Sacred? The Ethics of Television’ in The Warrior’s Honour: Ethnic War and the Modern Conscience New York: Metropolitan Books
• Jay, G.S. 1994 ‘Knowledge, Power, and the Struggle for Representation’ in College English, Vol. 56, No. 1. (Jan., 1994), pp. 9-29
• Kowalewski, D.; McIlwee, J.S. & Prunty, R. 1995 ‘Sexism, Racism and Establishmentism’ in Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 26, No. 2, (Nov., 1995), pp. 201-215
• Latham, K. 2000 ‘Nothing but the Truth: News Media, Power and Hegemony in South China’ in China Quarterly, No. 163. (Sep., 2000), pp.633-654
• Maingard, J. 1995 ‘Trends in South African Documentary Film and Video: Questions of Identity and Subjectivity’ in Journal of Southern African Studies, Vol. 21, No. 4, Special Issue on South African Literature: Paradigms Forming and Reinformed. (Dec., 1995), pp. 657-667
• Moulder, F.V. 1997 ‘Teaching about Race and Ethnicity: A Message of Despair or a Message of Hope?’ in Teaching Sociology, Vol.25, No.2. (Apr., 1997), pp. 120-127
• Redner, H. 1987 ‘Representation and the Crisis of Post-Modernism’ in PS, Vol.20 , No. 3. (Summer, 1987), pp.673-679
• Spitulnik, D. 1993 ‘Anthropology and Mass Media’ in Annual Review of Anthropology, Vol.22 (1993), pp. 293-315


Homepages of Newspapers Used

• Beeld: http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Home/
• Independent Online: http://www.iol.co.za/
• Mail & Guardian: http://www.mg.co.za/
• News24: http://www.news24.com/News24/Home/
• Pretoria News: http://www.pretorianews.co.za/
• Sowetan: http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Default.aspx?id=1277724
• The Star: http://www.thestar.co.za/
• The Times: http://www.thetimes.co.za/home.aspx

MAIL & GAURDIAN

• “Sixth teenager arrested in connection with stabbing” – Sapa
• “Fifth teenager arrested for schoolboy stabbing” – Sapa
• “Arrests made after schoolboy stabbings” – Sapa (18 September 2007)
• “Committee mulls roots of violence in SA schools” Sapa (19 September)
• “Arrests made after schoolboy stabbings” – Sapa ( 18 September)
• “Mother of stabbed pupil wants to see arrested youths” – Miranda Andrew (18 September)
• “Stabbed pupil’s mother a top education official” – Miranda Andrew (18 September)
• “Jo’burg schoolboy die in stabbing at party” – Thembelihle Tshabalala (17 September)
•

THE TIMES

• “Youth held in jail for KES stabbing” – Melody Brandon
• “Sixth teen arrested in KES murder probe” – Sapa http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=569747
• “So many questions” – Chris Barron (30 September) http://www.thetimes.co.za/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=575446
• “Youth held in jail for KES stabbing” – Melody Brandon (28 September)
• “Mother of murdered KES pupil inconsolable” Melody Brandon (27 September)
• “Cops were warned party was heading for disastrous end” Isaac Mahlangu (23 September) http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=570472
• “No words to comfort grieving mom (video)” – Melody Brandon (19 September) http://www.thetimes.co.za/news/article.aspx?id=567452
• “This is not my child. This is not how we brought him up” – Melody Brandon (21 September) http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=569382
• “Tribute so slain classmate (video)” – http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za (21 September)
• “Pupil could have been saved” 26 September
• “Schoolboy stabbed as he bows to pray” – 23 September http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=570477
• “Shocking rise in schoolboy stabbings” – 21 September http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=566512
• “Five schoolboys return home” – 20 September
• “Five teens face the music” – 20 September http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=568438
• “Parents too lenient” – 19 September http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=568101
• “Fifth teen arrested for stabbing”—19 September http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=567998
• “Cops tell mom: We’ve bust four schoolboys” – 19 September http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=567543
• “Schoolboys arrested for stabbing” – 18 September
• “Stabbed schoolboy out of hospital” – 18 September
• “Shocking rise in schoolboy stabbings” – 18 September http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=566512
• “Without him my life is not worth living. How can I live?” – 17 September http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=566523
• “Schoolboy stabbing suspects in court” – Sapa – 10 October – http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=583818
• “Police investigate pupil’s stabbing” – Sapa – 17 September http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=nw20070918172444283C107082
• “Schoolboy dies in knife fight” – Sapa - http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=nw20070918131924998C720505
• “Violence in schools must be stamped out now” – editor – 2 October http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=576721
• “When kids are thugs parents have failed” – Editor – 18 September http://www.thetimes.co.za/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=575446



THE STAR

• “No bail for KES murder suspect” – Bhavna Sookha http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=vn20070928032444806C745611
• “Suspect no 7 nabbed in KES case” – Alex Eliseev http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=vn20070926042918449C256239
• “Drama as pupils are released from custody” – Botho Moosankwe and Angelique Serrao (21 September) http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=vn20070921044421848C816116
• “KES stabbing: Pupils takes sides” – Angelique Serrarao Alex Eliseev (20 September) http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=vn20070920050200252C373275
• “One piece in the puzzle is now in place” – Alex Eliseev, Botho Molosankwe and Angelique Serrao (19 September) http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=vn20070919061831767C353868
• “I just went for him” – Gill Gifford and Alex Eliseev
• “Mother of murdered schoolboy vents her anguish at accused” – Botho Molosankwe (11 October)
• “Kes pupil’s mother’s outburst” – Botho Molosankwe (11 October)
• “Why didn’t you kill me?” – Botho Molosankwe (11 October) http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=vn20071011043414260C191012
• “No bail for suspect in KES murder case” – Sapa (28 September) http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=vn20070928032444806C745611
• “Parents to blame, not schools” – Sapa ( 28 September)
• “No bail for Suspect in KES murder case” – Bhavna Sookha (28 September)
• “No bail for KES murder suspect” – Bhavna Sookha ( 28 September)
• “Suspect no 7 nabbed in KES case” – Alex Eliseev (26 September)
• “Hiding their heads in shame” – Botho Molosankwe & Angelique Serrao (21 September)
• “We have already lost one life too many, mourners told” – Alex Eliseev (21 September)
• “Drama as pupils go to court” – Botho Molosankwe & Angelique Serrao (21 Septemer)
• “KES stabbings: Court drama” – Botho Molosankwe & Angelique Serrao (21 September)
• “More arrests in KES stabbing” – Staff reporters (19 September)
• “Principal lashes out at violence” – Alex Eliseev, Botho Molosankwe & Angelique Serrao ( 19 September)
• “KES murder breakthrough” – Alex Eliseev, Botho Molosankwe & Angelique Serrao ( 19 September)
• “Stabbed KES pupil returns to school without his friend” – Alex Eliseev, Gill Gifford & Angelique Serrao
• “Knife cut short teen’s dreams” – Alex Eliseev (18 September)
• “Why was KES boy stabbed?” – Gill Giffort, Alex Eliseev & Angelique Serrao (18 September)
• “Hunt for KEC boy’s killer” – Gill Giffort, Alex Eliseev & Angelique Serrao (18 September)
• “KES boy murdered at house party” – Gill Giffort & Alex Eliseev (17 September)
• “KES boy tells of killing” – Gill Giffort & Alex Eliseev (17 September)



DIE BEELD

• “Drama by hof in 6 se moordverhoor” – 10 October http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2199891,00.html
• “7e verdagte vas na seun se mesdood” – 26 September http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2190418,00.html
• “6e arrestasie na mesmoord” – 21 September http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2188376,00.html
• “Seuns rou, maar beloof om moord nie te wreek” – 20 September http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2187803,00.html
• “Mfundo se familie is bly saak is nou op hofrol” – 20 September http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2187789,00.html
• “Nog ‘n 18 jarige vas na moord” – 19 September http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2186806,00.html
• “4 leerlinge vas na mesmoord” – 18 September http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2186120,00.html
• “Drank gee nie reg om te moor nie” – 17 September http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2185495,00.html
• “Skoolseun sterf na ‘ongenooide gas’ hom op party steek” – 16 September http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2184945,00.html


THE SOWETAN

• “Why did you kill my only son - KES mom” – 11 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=584241
• “School not to blame for deaths” – 28 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/Feedback/Article.aspx?id=574009
• “Motshenkga insulted blacks” – 27 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/Feedback/Article.aspx?id=572936
• “KES murder – 7th suspect held” – 26 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=572040
• “Schools unite to bid farewell” – 21 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=569353
• “Spare the rod, spoil the nation” – 12 October http://www.sowetan.co.za/Feedback/Article.aspx?id=585101
• “Key suspect in Ntshangase case denied bail” – 28 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=574183
• “Tongue lashing for parents of ‘killer’ boys” – 21 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=569355
• “Guidance is a two way street” – 20 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/Feedback/Article.aspx?id=568333
• “Suspects in schoolboy killing in court today” – 20 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=568418
• “Five teenagers held over schoolboy’s killing” – 19 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=567535
• “Slain schoolboy’s family wants answers” – 18 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=567122
• “Mom’s biggest loss” – 18 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=566553
• “Schoolboy dies in knife fight” – 17 September http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=566028

THE PRETORIA NEWS

• “Mom confronts boys up for killing schoolboy” – Botho Molosankwe (10 October)
• Mother breaks down at sight of Mfundo’s murder suspects” Botho Molosankwe (10 October)
• “Stabbing opens schools’ festering wounds’ Botho Molosankwe and Angelique Serrao, Alex Eliseev, Shaun smillie (21 September)
• “Four boys held after deadly brawl at party” – Sapa (19 September)
• “Injured pupil tells of fatal brawl” – Gill Gifford, Alex Eliseev & Angelique Serrao (18 September)
• “Pupil at upmarket Jo’burg school is stabbed” – Gill Gifford



INDEPENDENT ONLINE

• “Schoolboy stabbing: case postponed” – Sapa
• “Readers: SA children becoming more violent” – Luntu Manani http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=iol1190468316140L530
• “KES stabbing: Sixth teen arrested” – Sapa 21 September - http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=nw20070921083247929C378174
• “Teenagers released after stabbing incident” – Sapa 21 September - http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=nw20070920223602743C598971
• “New Twist in KES stabbing” – Angelique Serrao, Alex Eliseev, Shaun Smillie and Botho Molosankwe (19 September) http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=nw20070919131934558C521807
• “Fifth teenager arrested for stabbing” – Sapa (19 September) http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=nw20070919131750110C611827
• “Stabbed pupil’s mom an education official – Sapa (18 September) http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=nw20070918172444283C107082
• “Schoolboys arrested after party stabbing” – Sapa (18 September) http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=nw20070918131924998C720505
• “I just went for him” – Gill Gifford & Alex Eliseev (17 September)
• Violent youth http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=nw20070925184119926C236309

NEWS24

• “Cops probe KES pupil’s stabbing” – 17 September
• “7th arrest over KES murder” – 25 September
• “6th arrested for KES stabbing” – 21 September
• “KES matric pupil killed by gate-crashers” – 16 September
• “KES boys won’t seek revenge” – 20 September
• “KES: 5 schoolboys released” – 20 September
• “KES Stabbing: Fifth teen held” – 19 September
• “KES mom ‘wants to know why’ “ – 18 September
• “Gatecrashers ‘were drunk’” – 18 September
• “Teen hurt trying to save friend” – 17 September
• “Rid schools of violence – Mbeki” – 26 October 2000 – Sapa http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/0,,2-7_932060,00.html

• Link to pdf file for national crime rates in SA
http://www.saps.gov.za/statistics/reports/crimestats/2006/_pdf/provinces/rsa_total.pdf


TIMES REPORTING ON POLITICAL FIGURES

• The Times – Reporting Minister of Health: Special report
http://www.thetimes.co.za/SpecialReports/manto/Default.aspx?id=250236

• The Times – Selebi & the cop mafia
http://www.thetimes.co.za/SpecialReports/CrimeInSA/Article.aspx?id=312467


THE STAR DEFENDING THE EDUCATION MINISTER’S STATEMENTS

• The Star – “Parents need to rethink how they raise their sons” - 27th September
http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4053090