The historic picture of a dying Hector Pieterson in the 1976 Soweto uprising was revived and desecrated in an invitation allegedly crafted by members of Selborne College in East London.
The image which was used in an invitation to matriculants for a reunion at the school's Old Boys Club and has been widely circulated on social media.
The Old Selbornian Association has distanced itself from the image, IOL reported.
Alan Parsons, executive director of the Old Selbornian Association, denied the invitation had been a formal one issued by the association.
He said the poster had been sent out as part of a social event planned for matric pupils following the end of their end of their exams and was not authorised or sent by him.
IOL reported that Parsons had requested time to provide a detailed response to the alleged invitation, but had yet to do so at the time of publishing on Friday.
@Julius_S_Malema Don't know if you've seen this but,,jus thot I shud..Selbourne College in East London..Yo thoughts plz pic.twitter.com/ZpSsSSJijx
— GEMINI_18_JUNE (@Somnandi81) December 2, 2017
This picture has caused public outrage with many sharing their disappointment and anger over the image.
Absolutely ridiculous that you would allow this to even go to print, @SelbourneCollege....clearly your standards of education are NOT what it should be!
— MT (@MTimmal) December 2, 2017
Selbourne College advertises handing over of blazers by parodying a tragic, iconic event our struggle history.
— ANC footsoldier (@MarionHarning) December 1, 2017
It is shocking, painful and totally unacceptable. It is a total insult to the vast majority of South Africans! pic.twitter.com/ENNiLOA8Sp pic.twitter.com/7ArwHqGtXs
This is absolutely disgusting! #SelborneCollege is endorsing black pain and suffering by making a meme and mockery of the Soweto Uprising! Disgraceful! https://t.co/Kzem4yqRSK
— Luke Waltham (@lukewaltham) December 1, 2017