GOOD Statement by Matthew Cook,
GOOD Gauteng Political Manager
16 August 2023
GOOD is shocked that 29 years into democracy a young girl is being denied access to education based on outdated racial hair policies.
A 13-year-old girl was allegedly barred from attending Crowthorne Christian Academy because her dreadlocks violated the school’s hair policy.
A video capturing the dispute has since gone viral on social media. After a heated exchange, a white male, believed to be a staff member of the school, is seen pushing the girl’s mother.
The Constitution guarantees that everyone in South Africa has the right to education.
The apartheid system left South Africa with a deeply unequal and dysfunctional education system. Draconian rules, made to exclude certain races, only slows down the pace of transformation.
South African youth already face an uphill battle. For many, education remains a hope rather than a reality. And those who are lucky enough to receive an education, face a harsh labour market.
The unemployment rate is sitting at 32.6% with Stats SA confirming, just yesterday, that women and youth are the most vulnerable.
Black females remain the face of poverty in this country.
The schooling system should protect them, not cast them out based on hairstyles.
It has since emerged that the school is operating illegally. Gauteng Education spokesperson. Steve Mabona was quoted in the media as saying “We are assisting the school to comply and encourage all unregistered institutions to engage with the department for assistance with registration processes”.
The critical shortage of schools in the province is forcing parents to turn to unregistered schools in desperation.
GOOD calls on the Gauteng Premier and the Education Department to crack down on unregistered schools.
Media Enquiries:
Matthew Cook, GOOD Gauteng Political Manager
Cell: 074 359 8237
Email: matthewc@forgood.org.za
Samantha Jackson, GOOD Acting Media Manager
Cell: 083 550 9875
Email: media@forgood.org.za