Cheers as school readmits Rastas

Cape Town-160211-Representing the Rastafarian Nonkosi Stofile leaving Joe slovo high school after a meeting where one of the Rastafarian Students was asked to cut his hair-Picture by BHEKI RADEBE

Cape Town-160211-Representing the Rastafarian Nonkosi Stofile leaving Joe slovo high school after a meeting where one of the Rastafarian Students was asked to cut his hair-Picture by BHEKI RADEBE

Published Feb 11, 2016

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Michael Nkalane

CHEERS of victory reverberated through Joe Slovo High School in Khayelitsha following the readmission of three Rastafarian pupils.

Vuyolwethu Lurhafu, 17, Lukhanyo Gwayisa, 18, and Sithethelele Thubeni, 17, all Grade 10 pupils, had been ordered to provide written proof they were from the Rastafarian religion so that they could be allowed to wear dreadlocks to school.

Following a lengthy meeting yesterday between the principal, the school governing body (SGB), local Rastafarian representatives and the pupils, it was agreed the pupils could be readmitted

.

They had missed school thrice this year because of their dreadlocks.

Carrying placards that read “Everyone has a right to education” and “Education does not discriminate against religion”, a number of Rastafarians protested at the school’s entrance.

Fellow pupils’ applause and chants of “victory, victory” had passers-by joining in after the three pupils reported that they could return to class.

Vuyolwethu said: “This is a victory against discrimination on our religion. How can you deprive someone education because of religious beliefs and dreadlocks?”

His aunt, Zukhanye Thubeni, said she was hoping he would not miss class again.

“I am so happy he is going to attend again. I have been to this school many times about this issue. I wish it is over now,” she said.

Education MEC Debbie Schäfer’s spokesperson, Jessica Shelver, said schools could ask parents to submit a letter from a religious group to substantiate a request to deviate from a school’s dress code.

“The school had at no stage been informed that the learners were Rastafarians and in the absence of this, all learners need to abide by the school’s code of conduct.”

Shelver said only the provincial head of department could expel a pupil. “In terms of the SA Schools Act, (the) SGB may decide on dress codes, including hair styles. The Department of Basic Education has published guidelines on drafting codes of conduct and dress codes that include the need to respect religious and cultural practice.”

The department had provided training to SGBs on their roles and responsibilities.

“These include drafting codes of conduct and dress codes, and disciplinary procedures in line with constitutional values and the law.”

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