‘Institutionalised racism’: EFF weighs in on Crowthorne Christian Academy
A 13-year-old pupil was kicked out of Crowthorne Christian Academy as her natural dreadlocks violate the school conduct.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has condemned Crowthorne Christian Academy and its policy which the party says institutionalises racism after a 13-year-old pupil was kicked out of school because her hairstyle allegedly violated the code of conduct.
A video of the incident has been widely circulated on social media platforms.
EFF WEIGHS IN ON CROWTHORNE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY INCIDENT
On Monday, 14 August the school principal’s husband violently pushed the learner and her mother out of the school. He appeared before the Midrand Magistrate’s Court and was released on R2000 bail on Thursday, 17 August.
Following the incident, the EFF in Gauteng accused Crowthorne Christian Academy and its policy for institutionalising racism “by raising white people’s genotypical and phenotypical characteristics as the standard for what is natural and those of African people as unnatural.”
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The party said it deplores such a policy because it seeks to suggest there is something abnormal and problematic about African people and that they must evolve to a higher and more acceptable standard.
“The EFF Gauteng stands in full solidarity with the victimised learner and her family. We call on swift action from the Gauteng Department of Education in ensuring that the school and those responsible are brought to book,” the party said.
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My 12 year old Sister (Tylin Gcabashe) was assaulted by the Principals husband this morning at Crowthorne “Christian” Academy.
— Snothando (@Snothan02903406) August 14, 2023
Mrs Tanya Booysen (The Principal)said “I will not allow her back into this school unless her hair is shaved off."@tumisole@Anele @Julius_S_Malema pic.twitter.com/X7fiAzsECa
SPOTLIGHT ON SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT IN SOUTH AFRICA
This is not the first time a South African school has made headlines for its hair policy.
In 2016, Pretoria Girls High was thrust in the spotlight after black learners staged protests against the school’s hair policy. The young girls claimed school rules forbid African hairstyles like afros, Bantu knots, dreadlocks and braids.
In 2019, a learner from Hyde Park high school in Gauteng faced detention because her hair was labelled ‘distracting’.
The code of conduct stated that hair should be kept neat and be kept away from the face. It further stated that the style of the hair should not draw attention to itself and that no extreme hairstyles are allowed – which is the main reason Zoe Chibuye received detention.
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