Scheduled tennis matches between Roedean and King David were cancelled amid allegations of antisemitism, leaving players and parents shocked and disappointed. Picture Credit: Sports Destinations
By Aisha Zardad
Johannesburg — The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has condemned an incident at Roedean School in Johannesburg, after the girls’ school cancelled a scheduled tennis fixture against King David Linksfield (KDL), prompting allegations of antisemitism and sparking public concern.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the SAJBD described the school’s refusal to compete against KDL—a Jewish school—as “deeply disturbing,” warning that it risked normalising discrimination within an educational setting. The Board confirmed it is working with the South African Board of Jewish Education (SABJE) and engaging with Roedean and the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) to address the matter.
“This refusal to play Jewish students sends a message that hate and discrimination have become acceptable at Roedean,” said Danny Mofsowitz, Chairperson of the SAJBD Gauteng Council. “A school cannot claim to uphold strong values while violating the constitutional principles of equality, dignity, and freedom from discrimination.”
The incident occurred on Tuesday, 3 February, when KDL’s first and second tennis teams travelled to Roedean’s Parktown campus for a scheduled match, only to be informed upon arrival that the fixture would not proceed. Parents who had come to support the students left disappointed, while the KDL pupils were reportedly distressed.
The SA Jewish Report later published a verified recording of a conversation between King David principal Lorraine Srage and a Roedean staff member, in which the latter stated the school was “facing pressure from our community and our constituents regarding not playing against King David.” The staff member acknowledged the issue was being perceived as related to KDL’s Jewish identity and said she would consult the school’s head of sport.
Wendy Kahn, National Director of the SAJBD, asserted that Roedean had shown reluctance to take responsibility. “What happened on 3 February was discrimination and antisemitism—there is no way around that,” Kahn said in an interview with ChaiFM. “Until Roedean acknowledges this, apologises, and takes corrective action, we must respond firmly.”
Bruce Nozaic, a senior staff member at KDL, called the event the most troubling of his 36-year career in education. “Our girls are devastated to have experienced such an antisemitic incident,” he said in a widely circulated voice note.
Rabbi Ricky Seeff, General Director of SABJE, stated that KDL had received verbal confirmation the match would go ahead, despite earlier indications of possible reluctance. “The Roedean teams did not arrive to play,” he said. After a period of waiting, a primary school coach reportedly offered KDL players an informal practice session with younger pupils—an offer that was declined.
Senior representatives from both schools held urgent talks mediated by ISASA on Sunday, 8 February. Roedean has since released two public statements, both of which have been criticised as inconsistent. The first claimed KDL had been notified in writing on 2 February that Roedean could not field a team and would forfeit the match. The second referred only to “a scheduled inter-school tennis fixture with KDL that did not proceed as planned,” with no mention of a prior forfeit. Both statements denied allegations of antisemitism and indicated that discussions are ongoing.
SABJE has informed parents and staff that the matter is under formal investigation. The SAJBD has urged the community to avoid speculation and allow due process to take place, emphasising the well-being of students as the priority.
This incident occurs amid heightened national attention on issues of discrimination and accountability. In a separate development, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) recently welcomed the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s decision to expel Israeli Chargé d’Affaires Ariel Seidman, citing diplomatic misconduct. While unrelated to the school incident, both events have contributed to public discourse on prejudice, constitutional values, and institutional responsibility.
The Gauteng Department of Education was not available for comment at the time of publication
