The Kiffness, Challenges News24’s Coverage of Racism Allegations at Pretoria High School for Girls
David Scott, also known as The Kiffness (Photo: Instagram/The Kiffness)
Musician David Scott, popularly known as The Kiffness, has voiced his concerns over News24’s portrayal of him as a “controversial musician” and diversity consultant Teresa Oakley-Smith as an “anti-racism expert.” Scott took to social media to present his side of the story, challenging the narrative surrounding recent racism allegations at Pretoria High School for Girls.
Scott highlighted two main points:
- The private WhatsApp messages shared by white girls at the school were labelled racist by the media, but Scott insists their feelings were valid and not racist.
- Conversely, he pointed out that black girls from the same school have posted videos on social media displaying what he describes as “actual racism,” without facing media scrutiny.
News24: A black pupil from Pretoria High School for Girls was suspended by the school’s governing body last week for saying, among other things, that
“there’s no time for feeling sorry” for white pupils.Other things:pic.twitter.com/6uDQtwrKCf
— The Kiffness (@TheKiffness) August 6, 2024
Scott also referenced Oakley-Smith’s recorded statements about the need for a diversity consultant to address the school’s issues. Oakley-Smith suggested a “bespoke response” involving the investigation of policies, procedures, and previous interventions. Scott noted that, despite the recent revelation that the accusations of racism were false, Oakley-Smith has not retracted her statement.
Scott emphasised that his involvement stems purely from a desire to reveal the truth, even at the potential cost of his entertainment career. He expressed concern over the motives of legacy media journalists, suggesting that they lie for clicks and paychecks. He also criticised diversity consultants like Oakley-Smith, claiming they benefit financially from validating false racism claims.
In his social media post, Scott urged the public to be cautious about trusting the media. He recommended following individuals like @wilkinsoncape, who he believes are dedicated to sharing the truth without any ulterior motives.
Scott’s stance raises questions about media integrity and the role of diversity consultants in schools. As debates around racism and media representation continue, Scott’s comments add a critical perspective to the ongoing discussion.
