Makhanda racism scandal: Is ‘snoobab’ the new k-word?

A social media post shared by pupils of Kingswood College in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) has highlighted racial tensions at the exclusive private school, as well as introduced South Africans to a new racial slur.

“Snoobab”, which spells baboons backwards, was a term reportedly used by white pupils to refer to their black counterparts at the school, according to City Press.

An outcry on social media erupted after the two white girls at the school who accused each other of racism and xenophobia were found not guilty following a disciplinary process.

The process was conducted by a “highly qualified black woman”, who found that there “mutually destructive versions” of what happened “by both sides”, college head Colleen Vassiliou told City Press.

“This verdict, by someone of her expertise, cannot be ignored or overturned by the school,” she added.

The incident brought racial tensions at the school to the fore, Vassiliou acknowledged.

The story by City Press has led to much discussion on Twitter around the word ‘snoobab’.

A search for the word reveals that it is not the invention of the Makhanda schoolchildren. It is even defined on Urban Dictionary as “a racial comment” in a post from back in 2007.

There are several examples of it being used on social media by South Africans.

https://twitter.com/hinrich45/status/812368902000939008

@EFFGautengEast @Mixit1302 the ppl of Rhodesia left long ago, those left are to scared,but run away to SA to do crime like a snoobab.

— Michael Crawford (@m8178512) July 15, 2013

Since the City Press story, the term has been discussed at length on Twitter, following the story being shared by Economic Freedom Fighters spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.

Some black users were offended by it, but others reacted by finding humour in it.

Whether the term will make its way into a headline in South African news story again remains to be seen.

1. Of course.
2. Kingswood is consistent.
3. Penny Sparrow is twerking in her shallow grave
4. Can't get past how "Snoobab" sounds like the title of a '40s jive hit song. Which is bizarrely on brand.
5. We've beeeeeeeeeeeeeen saying 😬 https://t.co/XR0R10b7Rj

— Ottilia Anna MaSibanda (@MaS1banda) November 12, 2019

😂😂😂 snoobab is fucking hilarious!!! But also the monkey comparisons gotta stop, monkey's are smart creatures 😂😂

— Suleman Steele (@Suleman_Steele) November 12, 2019

Initially I was worked up and upset by this article, but after some serious thoughts, we can’t allow racism to own us, let us own every word the racists give us until they run out. Let us make these words fashionable and beat them at their own game!#snoobab https://t.co/WVkHWXqtQl

— Glam Teacher ❤️👩🏾‍🏫 (@NqobileGaga) November 12, 2019

Snoobab????? Nisqhela ikaka. 😑 https://t.co/yX2AT8V6Pa

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— Nwa’ana Florah na Mabu (@Karabo_XCVII) November 12, 2019

Practicing occult terminology "Snoobab" for Baboons, black child might as well say "Sgip" for Pigs in this racial war

— เจ้าชาย J Jnr 🤴🏾🌍 (@Ngwenya_PJ) November 12, 2019

https://twitter.com/AFlyBlackCommie/status/1194198890553204736

If a whiteman man calls me a snoobab, I juss call him a gip (pig spelt backwards) "prononced jeep". No need to cry like babies.

— Chaminuka 🇿🇼🇿🇼 (@klevar82) November 12, 2019

I am sorry but I laughed first. Snoobab is hella funny. https://t.co/sjnMpDhwaa

— _ (@Nhlon1pho) November 12, 2019

Whilst you’re busy bringing down a fellow black brother, racism is evolving right under your noses #Mapintsha #snoobab https://t.co/8tcVuMyTKh

— King Stevo (@MakhuboSteven) November 12, 2019

😂😂😂 "Snoobab" @thuli_kubheka

I'll give them E for Effort. https://t.co/WSHGhMr8LB

— The Benjamin$$ (@LuckyLefty99) November 12, 2019

(Compiled by Daniel Friedman)

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