Denouncing Bishop Diocesan College’s hypocrisy: A call to action against Zionist apartheid

The recent developments at Bishops Diocesan College have exposed a deeply troubling reality about the institution’s leadership under Crispin Sonn. By defending the indefensible, Bishops has aligned itself with Zionism—an ideology rooted in apartheid-like practices. It is high time we, as Capetonians, take a stand against this hypocrisy and recognize the broader implications of supporting an ideology that perpetuates the oppression of Palestinians.

Lance Witten’s strong stance on this matter is one that resonates with many of us who are fed up with the duplicity of institutions like Bishops.

As a country that has endured apartheid, we know all too well the realities of segregation, racial superiority, and systematic oppression. Zionism, in its essence, mirrors the very policies that once subjugated the majority of South Africans under apartheid. The displacement, occupation, and violation of Palestinian rights are part and parcel of the same colonial mentality that our country fought to dismantle.

What makes Bishops’ stance even more egregious is that it comes under the leadership of Crispin Sonn, the son of Franklin Sonn. Franklin Sonn, who served as the president of the Cape Teachers Professional Association (CTPA), played a significant role in the late 1980s when the organization moved away from its previous complicity with apartheid’s education system. Under Franklin’s leadership, the CTPA adopted the Freedom Charter and aligned itself with the progressive values of the Mass Democratic Movement, joining forces with those who opposed the unjust system that had long oppressed our people.

We expect more from Crispin Sonn. His father took a principled stand to distance himself from the oppressive apparatus of apartheid and chose to side with justice. Yet, today, Crispin is allowing an institution under his leadership to defend an apartheid system in its modern form—Zionism. This is not just a betrayal of progressive values, but a slap in the face to those who, like his father, chose to fight against the injustice of apartheid and stand with the oppressed.

Zionism is apartheid. This is not a matter of opinion but of fact. Israel’s treatment of Palestinians—the forced removals, land expropriations, military occupation, and discriminatory laws—is a modern mirror of the Bantustan policies and forced removals that black South Africans endured for decades. How can we, as a nation that has prided itself on its moral stand against apartheid, continue to allow Zionism to be defended in our institutions?

The hypocrisy of Bishops Diocesan College is a stark reminder that the fight against oppression is far from over. We cannot allow this institution, which has benefited from South Africa’s post-apartheid reconciliation, to lend legitimacy to the same system of racial superiority that it once sought to distance itself from. Bishops’ defense of Zionism must be condemned by all who believe in justice, equality, and freedom.

We call upon all Capetonians to rise up and form an anti-Zionist alliance. It is time to break the hegemony that Zionist sympathizers have over public discourse. For too long, this narrative has dominated our institutions, allowing Israel’s apartheid regime to continue its oppression of Palestinians unchecked. The time has come to challenge this narrative and stand with those who are suffering under the boot of occupation and segregation.

Our history teaches us that silence in the face of injustice is complicity. Just as the United Democratic Front and the Mass Democratic Movement rose up against apartheid in South Africa, we must now rise up against Zionism. The parallels between apartheid South Africa and Zionist Israel are undeniable. The same tactics of dispossession, racial superiority, and militarized control are being used to oppress the Palestinian people, and we must stand in solidarity with them.

Crispin Sonn, and the institution he leads, must decide where they stand. Will they continue to defend a system of apartheid, or will they side with justice and humanity? As Capetonians, we must demand that our institutions, especially those like Bishops, reflect the progressive values of our struggle and reject all forms of apartheid.

This is not just a matter of international politics. It is a matter of moral clarity. As Nelson Mandela once said, “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.” If we are to remain true to our own history, to the values we fought for, then we cannot remain silent while Zionism continues to oppress an entire people.

Let this be a call to action for all who believe in justice. Let us unite to form a broad, anti-Zionist alliance that challenges the status quo, breaks the stranglehold of Zionist sympathizers on public discourse, and stands for the oppressed. We must rise up, as we did before, to bring an end to apartheid, no matter where it exists.

The time for silence is over. The time for action is now.

** Faiez Jacobs is a former ANC MP. He writes in his personal capacity. 

** The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of IOL or Independent Media.