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

Albanian president to Erdoğan: Turkish schools pose no threat

In the latest round of a debate surrounding the Turkish schools in Albania, President Bujar Nishani dismissed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s request to shut schools down because of their links to the faith-based Gülen movement, also known as the Hizmet movement.

The tragic echoes of Turkey’s anti-Gülen campaign in Turkmenistan

Ahmet, 27, agrees. He says that, when studying at a Gülen school, “for the first time we saw teachers caring for us. They were prepared to do more than to teach. They were making an extra effort for us, showing exemplary behaviour, such as rushing to help when a school boy got sick, finding medicine for him.

President Ellen Commends Turkish School for Commitment to Pursuing Quality Education

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commended students of Cyber-Ed Christian School of Excellence Liberia—Turkish International School for being so courageous, disciplined and committed to pursuing quality education at their various schools of learning.

EP’s Rebecca Harms Visited Turkish Educator Çabuk In Georgian Prison

Rebecca Harms, a member of the European Parliament and co-president of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly visited Mustafa Emre Çabuk, a Turkish school administrator who was arrested by Georgian authorities last year at the request of the Turkish government, on Thursday according to her post on her Twitter account.

Somali denies allegations that ‘aid supplies did not reach camp’

The claim was also denied by the person in charge of the camp, Ibrahim Abdinur Muhammed, demonstrating that defamatory activities are being conducted by pro-government media outlets against Hizmet movement.
Muhammed said the organization had helped 450 families living in the camp and that it continues to send assistance to the camps in six other locations in Somali in the form of health and food supplies and clothing as well as education tools.

RELIABLE ENVIRONMENT : GULEN INSPIRED SCHOOLS

Gulen Inspired Schools provides an environment where they trust in a clear long-term gain. One of the main factors behind the success of these schools is commitment and dedications that have been presented by teachers and managers. One common characteristic of the staff is the commitment to the common goal to make a positive impact to the society.

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

Turkey’s greatest service to the Muslim world

ECtHR rules Bulgaria violated rights of Turkish journalist who was deported despite seeking asylum

17,000 women, 515 babies in Turkish prisons: SCF report

Arrested Turkish TV chief writes an open letter from his jail cell

PM Erdoğan calls on his supporters to boycott [Hizmet’s] prep schools

More emphasis should be given to improving students’ functional skills

Kimse Yok Mu offers much-needed help in Gaza

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News