Florence Masebe calls for a national hair policy following #HydeParkHighAfro outrage

As South Africans debate Hyde Park High's decision to discipline one of its students for her afro, veteran actress Florence Masebe has called for a national hair policy to be implemented.

According to eNCA, a grade 9 pupil at the school faced detention because of her hairstyle. It was reported that the young woman claimed that her teacher told her that her hair was "distracting and attention-grabbing". 

Weighing in on the issue, Florence said the treating of black people's hair as "unacceptable" had to be stopped.

"We clearly need a national hair policy. One that doesn't treat black people hair as unacceptable. We can't keep returning to the same argument every few weeks. Your schools are exhausting Mma Motshekga."

In 2016, there was a similar case at Pretoria High School for Girls.

Florence said the powers that be must intervene, as it seems that governing bodies are still not winning the fight.

"Sadly, what we have now is no better. Schools and their governing bodies get away with codes of conduct that problematise blackness," she claimed.

Many supported Florence's suggestion of a policy on hair, saying they were tired of having to deal with almost the "same" issues every other week.

People such as actress Nokuthula Mavuso and poet Lebo Mashile also shared their thoughts on the issue.