Let our children own their blackness, says Basetsana Kumalo on hair scandal

30 August 2016 - 19:45 By TMG Entertainment
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Basetsana Kumalo.
Basetsana Kumalo.
Image: Supplied

Media mogul Basetsana Kumalo has thrown her weight behind the outrage levelled against Pretoria High School for Girls and its controversial hair policy.

Students at the school have dominated headlines after claiming that black girls have been told that having an afro is against school policy and claim that they have been forced to straighten their hair.

The issue has led to government to intervene and caused a massive social media outcry with celebrities and high-profile politicians and personalities applauding the girls for coming forward and being brave enough to speak out.

The latest person to show support is Bassie Kumalo. In a strong note on Instagram, the media mogul lambasted those who dictate how a girls hair should be worn.

"It is a sad day in our democracy to watch 14,15,16 year olds having to march for their identity, when they should be in a classroom learning. As a mother raising a daughter and mentoring daughters of our nation, it would be an indictment to be silent and cast a blind eye where rules of Pretoria Girls High School seek to erode the identity of the black girl child," she wrote.

"No child should be forced to straighten their hair so they could tie it into a ponytail! Let our children own their blackness, be affirmed to be authentic, celebrate their heritage and roots, claim their uniqueness and not be forced to conform to a standard that alienates the essence of who they are," she added.

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