Mixed-race families say WCED school forms don't reflect modern South Africa

A Cape Town parent has raised concerns about race classification on the Western Cape Education Department’s online school application system, saying mixed-race children are left without a clear option.

The issue emerged as parents began applying for Grade R and Grade 1 placements for the 2027 academic year on the WCED website.

Parents are required to select a race category on the application form, with options listed as Black African, coloured, Indian/Asian or white.

But Cape Town mother Melany Bendix says those options do not reflect the growing number of mixed-race families.

Parent says forms don’t reflect mixed-race families

Bendix said she encountered the issue while completing an application and realised no category accurately represented her child.

“I’m classified as very white… and her father is classified as coloured,” Bendix said.

Her daughter, now 12, has been navigating questions about identity from an early age.

“It’s been an ongoing conversation for many years,” she said, explaining that her child began asking questions about her identity as young as four or five.

Bendix said the lack of an appropriate category on official forms can make children feel like they do not fit into any recognised group.

“We’re limited to four boxes, and it’s quite shocking,” she said.

Calls for broader race options on official forms

Bendix said she understands why race categories are still used in South Africa to track inequality and monitor transformation.

However, she believes official systems should reflect the country’s changing demographics.

“At the very minimum, an ‘other’ option,” she said.

“I don’t expect the Department to have checkboxes for every single possible mix… but at the very least a minimum.”

Concerns about the impact on children

Bendix said the absence of a suitable category could have psychological consequences for children who do not identify with the existing options.

“Basically, what you’re saying to these children is that they don’t fit into any accepted boxes,” she said.

She added that mixed-race identity is already a complex issue for many families and children.

“It’s an ongoing conversation… and it just entrenches the fact that they feel they’re in between.”

Bendix said adding even a simple ‘other’ category would help address the problem.

“It’s really easy just to add a checkbox, even if it’s just ‘other’,” she said.

For more information, listen to Bendix on CapeTalk’s Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit using the audio player below: