South Africans have come out in full support for the students who protested outside a respected girls high school in South Africa on Monday, decrying alleged discrimination against black school girls.
Protests over the hair, as well as language policies and practices at Pretoria Girls’ High School today sparked discussion around the experiences of black pupils who attend former ‘Model C’ schools.
This after girls attending school said they have been requested to straighten their hair. They’ve also reportedly been accused of conspiring when standing in groups and speaking in their mother tongue.
A petition began circulating online calling on Panyaza Lesufi, the head of education for the Gauteng province in South Africa, and Pretoria Girls High headmistress to take action so that school’s code of conduct “does not discriminate against black and Muslim girls.”
“Right now, learners at Pretoria High school are demanding that racist practices at the school are brought to an end,” the petition reads. “Girls attending the school have been forced to straighten their hair; are accused of conspiring when standing in groups and face other intolerable comments and actions.”
In less than 24 hours, the petition has gathered more than 22,000 signatures.
The students were reportedly told they would be barred from taking their exams if they did not straighten their hair and not wear dreadlocks.
“The sooner we intervene the better,” Lesufi told Talk Radio 702 host John Robbie about his visit.
Lesufi is reportedly scheduled to have four meetings on Monday, including ones with students and school leaders. An email to Lesufi was not immediately returned.“I’m truly sorry and I can assure you that it ends here,” Lesufi said according to News24. “You have my support and I will protect you. Your pain will never again continue for as long as I’m still the MEC in this province.”
Explaining the politics of black hair, Zama Ndlovu, who is a Pretoria High School for Girls alumni and columnist, insists that the school’s policies have been made to favour white people.
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“The problem with the rules is that they are still written through a white gaze so our hair is supposed to conform to what our white counterparts’ hair is supposed to look like. What is defined and conceived as neat is still the same as it was before, and we used to justify it by saying to ourselves this was very soon after 1994 and the spaces had not been used to having black students.”
Ndlovu matriculated from the school nearly 15 years ago.
She adds, “It’s been nearly 15 years since we matriculated and that same gaze is still there, that same attack on the black child’s body is still there.”
Sharing their own experiences of discriminatory rules, South Africans have rallied behind the girls under the hashtag ‘Stop Racism at Pretoria Girls High’.
Her name is Zulaikha. She's 13 years old. She's been in detention for her hair before. She is the future. pic.twitter.com/xCmvVAfbnI
— The Daily VOX (@thedailyvox) August 29, 2016
I remember how as prefects we were told to punish girls who are found speaking their mother tongue 😰. #stopracismpretoriagirlshigh
— Faith (@FaithKutlwano) August 29, 2016
This issue is about so much more than just hair. It's about dignity, identity, and respect!#StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh
— Brent Lindeque (@BrentLindeque) August 30, 2016
I remember how we had to comb it out HARD to make it look "neat"👀 https://t.co/khn4t6qjL8
— NOLO♥️ (@BonoloSe) August 28, 2016
Former Model C schools were quick to accept black pupils but quite reluctant to accept our blackness #stopracismpretoriagirlshigh
— Siyabulela (@Siyabu_lela) August 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/simonsaysthis/status/770197638926958593
My son's principal told him that his hair is good for April Fools Day. #stopracismpretoriagirlshigh and elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/f25DahCpI0
— Annika Langa (@AnnikalangaY) August 29, 2016
Using chemicals to relax hair means I must try to make my Afro to be more western/accepted? It's a self hate #stopracismpretoriagirlshigh
— JesusMyBeloved (@timothykledwaba) August 29, 2016
It should never have gotten to the point of our daughters protesting the erasure of their blackness. #stopracismpretoriagirlshigh
— Feminist Inside (@LifeOfAFoC) August 29, 2016
Firstly, we support the stance of Pretoria Girls High students to protect their right to have natural hair. #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) August 29, 2016
#StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh 'Fists up, fros out' pic.twitter.com/6N6I72AArD
— Greg Nicolson (@gregnicolson) August 29, 2016
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Dont like the rules of the school don’t go there.
“Pretoria High School for Girls (Simply often known as PHSG), is a full-government, fee-charging, English-medium high school for girls located in Hatfield, Pretoria in the Gauteng province of South Africa.
It is an English school so speak the language. I can’t see why you would want to speak another language that others cant understand unless there was an ulterior motive to do so.