11 December 2018
EE response to Satchwell/Langa and Manjoo reports: EE closes the Satchwell Enquiry, continues to learn and commits to extensive organisational review to build a better EE
The National Council (NC) of Equal Education (EE) established an independent enquiry to investigate and make findings on serious allegations, including sexual harassment and intimidation, raised in the Mail & Guardian on 18 May 2018, against former leaders of EE.
A priority for us is to ensure the safety, protection and wellbeing of every member and employee of our movement and to listen to vulnerable members of our movement when they bring forward allegations of wrongdoing, acting sensitively and swiftly. We want to foster an environment in which every member and employee can thrive and participate meaningfully in EE.
We have tried to build a movement reflective of the just society that we strive for: democratic in nature, and representative of all of the different people who are members and supporters of EE. We know that if we do not look inward or if we stifle criticism, we will undermine our principles, our work and the young people that we seek to empower. We don’t do this perfectly all of the time and we own our shortcomings and our imperfections, just as we claim our victories, so that we can transform, restore and do better.
It was with this in mind that we set up an independent enquiry, so that we could deal with the issues raised transparently and with due process, in an environment for complainants to participate without fear or intimidation.
Note: The National Council has resolved not to publish either of the Satchwell Enquiry reports in full because of the sensitive details therein. We are drafting summaries of both reports that protect the confidentiality of complainants. These will be available on our website shortly.
Click on the image of the document below to read the entire response issued by EE’s National Council.
