- Former Heathfield High principal Wesley Neumann, dismissed in 2021 after a dispute with the Western Cape Education Department, has taken up a new role as a PR councillor.
- Despite this career change, Neumann continues to fight his dismissal in court, maintaining his commitment to justice.
- His new position provides him with a platform to serve his community while pursuing his legal battle.
After more than two years since former Heathfield High School principal Wesley Neumann had been dismissed and embroiled in litigation with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), he has taken up a new role as a PR councillor.
In October 2021, the WCED found Neumann guilty of alleged misconduct and insubordination for failure to carry out a lawful order without just or reasonable cause.
He was dismissed for going against the department’s decision to have children back at school during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
On 13 May 2022, Neumann was dismissed unless he accepted an offer of demotion at another school.
Since then, he has been fighting to get his job back.
In his announcement last week, Neumann said he devoted his entire adult life to education and service to the community.
“During my time as a teacher at Heathfield High School, I dedicated my time to the holistic development of the children under my care which, included many hours on the sports field coaching, officiating and serving as a sports administrator.”
Neumann shared that it was unfortunate he was unable to fulfil his passion through education during a legal dispute.
“Unfortunately, a four-year protracted labour dispute over legitimate safety concerns for learners and teachers under my care during Covid-19 has left me unable to fulfil my passion for serving our communities through education,” he commented. “Throughout this period, I have been open to engaging the education authorities to find an amicable resolution to this dispute. Unfortunately, this has not yielded results.”
Good Party
He further explained that he was successful during the selection process for the new role.
“Recently, I was approached by the Good Party in Cape Town to consider applying for the role of PR councillor. I went through their selection process and was successful.”
While taking on the new role, Neumann said he planned to continue his court battle.
“By accepting this position, it does not mean that I will abandon my fight for justice against the education department,” he said.
“If anything, this employment opportunity will enable me to continue to serve our community as a public representative and to provide much-needed resources to continue my fight for justice to its logistical conclusion against education authorities who are not scared of exhausting public funds to fight this matter.”
