Turkish schools broke anti-black taboos in South Africa, says SA minister

South African Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor
South African Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor


Date posted: March 10, 2015

South African Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor has praised Turkish schools operating in her country for helping to break the anti-black taboos of the nation’s defunct apartheid regime, which claimed black people were unable to succeed in mathematics or sciences.

The South African minister said the former racist apartheid regime in her country had seriously damaged its educational system during its rule. Praising Turkish businessmen and educators operating in her country, Pandor said: “The racist regime mostly damaged our education. Black people living in the country were debarred from the education of sciences and mathematics. Then people started to believe that they [black people] could not possibly succeed in these areas.”

Pointing to the positive influence of the Turkish schools on her country’s educational system, Pandor added: “At present, there are students from different ethnic backgrounds [being educated] at the Turkish Star College. The black students [in this college] have had great successes in sciences and mathematics. Some of them have even won gold medals at International Science Olympiads. The Turkish schools have broken the conventional perception against the country’s black people and they contribute to our future with the excellent education they provide.”

The minister was speaking during her visit to the Nizamiye Complex in Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city. The complex was financed by Turkish businessman Ali Katırcıoğlu and has been serving Muslims since Oct. 4, 2012. The complex houses a large mosque, a school, a dormitory, a clinic and a shopping center that includes a traditional Turkish restaurant and bakery. The mosque was modeled on the historic Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey.

The minister was impressed by the Turkish complex, adding, “Nizamiye serves as the best example of how the religion of Islam brings people together and builds a society.”

Addressing the school students as she spoke, Pandor said: “Stay away from drugs, alcohol, bad friendships and do not waste your time. Just focus on your education. Serve your country after graduating from this school as scientists.” The minister left the complex after eating lunch with the school’s students, teachers and administrators.

Source: Today's Zaman , March 09, 2015

Tags: | | |


Related News

A battle for power in Turkey faces resistance in Senegal

The closure of Yavuz Selim schools isn’t just a blow for its students, but also for the state of education in Senegal, a country where about one-third of children remain out of school. The schools had a reputation for excellence, ranking for years among Senegal’s best. Students got top scores in national exams, and went on to study at international universities.

Toward an Islamic enlightenment

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who has put forward an interpretation of Islam that advocates peace, democracy, secularism (in the sense of freedom of religion and conscience for all), science, education and a market economy, and who has supported interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding and respect for people of different ethnic and religious identities and lifestyles, has been the topic of much curiosity for native as well as foreign observers of Turkey.

High competition for Fezalar Institution in North Iraq

The competition is high for students who are looking to attend the Fezalar Educational Institution in northern Iraq. 7,250 students have applied for the entrance exam, however, only 650 seats are available for new students. The institution was founded nearly 14 years ago in Turkiye. Since then, it has branched out to five countries, including […]

African queen promises to give support to Turkish schools

Queen Ntombi Twala of Swaziland received a group of teachers from Turkish schools and businesspeople, affiliated with the Hizmet Movement, at her palace. “Success of the schools you established pleased me a lot. If you open such schools in our country, my people will benefit from them,” said Ntombi adding that she promise to support schools which will be opened in her country.

Said-i Nursi: An Ottoman Scholar in Turkish Republic

The saying goes as “The death of a wise man is like the death of the universe.” Those who can combine intellectual capacity with a purified spirit are like the enlightening candles of the world. As the Quran told us, among human beings only the wise men can have a true respect to Allah, because they are unprecedented examples of standing against cruelty, unswerving determination and constant struggle.

Zaman school [in Cambodia] resists call for closure

Zaman school officials and parents yesterday urged the Cambodian government not to shutter the schools as the Turkish Ambassador to Cambodia Ilhan Tug has requested, saying students will ultimately suffer. Officials would also need to consider legal and administrative procedures, and so far, the schools have not violated any Cambodian law or regulation, he said.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

‘Who do you like most, Erdoğan or Gülen?’ Turkish teacher asks primary school students

Pak–Turk cooperation: Turkish NGO to support free eye surgeries

Mother of four under detention for months on coup charges

668 Babies to welcome Eid Al-Adha in Turkish prisons

Taiwanese scholar: Hizmet movement wins hearts with education, charity

Anti-democratic practices after graft probe reminiscent of Feb. 28 era

Turkey’s Erdogan attempts to have Gambia close down Turkish schools

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News