An independent review has been commissioned by the Old Diocesans Union (ODU) to investigate recent disputes at Bishops Diocesan College, an elite private school for boys in Rondebosch, Cape Town. The review aims to determine the facts, evaluate whether actions breached constitutional and governance standards, and recommend structural improvements. The disputes involve conflicts over the school council, executive and staffing matters, the chaplain, the Pride flag policy, and proposed changes to the school's Rhodes Scholarship policy.
At the heart of the disputes is a submission alleging that the ODU overstepped its constitutional authority. The submission argues that the ODU's constitution gives it no express role in the school's governance, the composition of its council, or the appointment and employment of staff. The ODU's constitution lists values including equality, unity, inclusiveness, transparency, respect, and good citizenship. Its stated objects include supporting Bishops and upholding the honour, reputation, and tradition of the union.
A WhatsApp archive of the Bishops Stakeholder Action Group, created in May 2024, has been obtained as evidence. The group grew to about 450 members, and the surviving archive contains roughly 7,060 messages and system events. The submission alleges that members of the group used the WhatsApp platform to influence the school's governance, executive management, and staffing. Messages attributed to members of the group called for the resignation of then chair of the school's governing council, Crispin Sonn, and the replacement of the council as a whole.
The submission links the campaign to the March 2025 ODC election, when 10 associated candidates stood on a signed manifesto and won control of the committee. The submission also cites messages supporting the appointment of Father Monwabisi Peter to the council and calling for people to write to the council daily to request the resignation of the principal, Tony Reeler. In one message, a member wrote: "Need to select a team of people to do that effectively … Simple: everybody write a letter to the council asking them to request his resignation for a start. Be nice and polite, and if he resists, up the pressure."
On 23 June 2026, the ODC wrote to the council seeking a policy limiting flags flown at the school to the national, school, and Anglican Communion flags. The submission states that the proposal was approved by the ODC by 10 votes to one, with one abstention, and would have ended the school's practice of flying the Pride flag. Messages that followed argued that the council, rather than the executive, should determine the policy.
The submission also raises concerns about the ODU's involvement in the dispute over access to the Bishops Rhodes Scholarship. The Rhodes Trust and the four affected South African schools announced revised arrangements in March that broadened the eligibility pools and changed the selection process while retaining four school-linked scholarships. The ODU chairperson, Simon Koch, rejected the suggestion that the committee opposed widening access, stating that the issue was whether the Rhodes Trustees had the legal power to change the scholarships' eligibility criteria and selection process without first obtaining a court's determination.
The independent review will assess whether the ODU's actions were legitimate and within its constitutional authority. The review's findings and recommendations are expected to shed light on the governance disputes at Bishops Diocesan College.
Key points
- The independent review aims to determine the facts and evaluate whether actions breached constitutional and governance standards.
- The disputes involve conflicts over the school council, executive and staffing matters, the chaplain, the Pride flag policy, and proposed changes to the school's Rhodes Scholarship policy.
- The ODU's involvement in the disputes has raised concerns about its constitutional authority and potential breaches of governance standards.
