The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has delivered a pivotal ruling that allows DF Malan High School in Bellville to officially change its name to DF Akademie, a decision that has been in the pipeline since May 2021, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The current name, bearing the weight of its affiliations to former Prime Minister Daniel François Malan, a significant figure in the apartheid regime, had sparked debates and discontent among the school community and the wider public.
Initially known as Bellville Secondary School, Hoërskool DF Malan was established in 1954 and operated from the building that now serves as the Bellville Police Station.
In a substantial turnout, the name change received overwhelming support from the school’s stakeholders during the voting process conducted in October 2021. Out of 3,466 votes cast, a commanding 85% favoured the name DF Akademie.
The ruling essentially upholds a previous verdict by the Western Cape High Court, which recognised the fairness of the processes conducted by the school governing body (SGB) regarding the name change.
Chairperson of the SGB, Ferdi Booysen, asserted that extensive consultations were held with parents, educators, and students alike to gauge their viewpoints on the proposed name alteration.
However, a group including Barend Rautenbach, Johan Smit, Francois Malan, and Barend de Klerk expressed dissatisfaction with the SGB’s decision, proceeding to challenge the process in the courts.
They argued that the SGB lacked the authority to effectuate such a change under the South African Schools Act and claimed that the consultation processes were compromised.
The SCA firmly refuted these claims, ruling that the governing body acted within its implied powers and that the consultation was conducted transparently and rationally.
In a statement that underlines the ethos of modern educational institutions, the court highlighted that the name change reflects a commitment to inclusivity and progress, distancing the school from the stigma of its apartheid-era legacy.
With the Supreme Court’s ruling paving the way for transformation, DF Malan High School is poised to formally adopt the new name DF Akademie in the coming months, signalling a new era aimed at fostering a more inclusive educational environment.
Read the full ruling here: https://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZASCA/2025/78.html
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Picture: Hoërskool DF Malan / Facebook
