#StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh is trending in South Africa as a school in the capital, Pretoria, faces a backlash for allegedly telling black school pupils to straighten their hair.
A petition STOP RACISM AT PRETORIA GIRLS HIGH which has 9,889 signatures so far, has been set up asking the authorities to investigate the school:
Part of the petition read: “Learners at Pretoria High school are demanding that racist practices at the school are brought to an end. Girls attending the school have been forced to straighten their hair; are accused of conspiring when standing in groups and face other intolerable comments and actions.
Twitter users tweeted to show support to the school
One of the first places racism has to removed is in schools. Children shouldn't have to be fighting this. #stopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh
— Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) August 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/Machukah/status/770165214906085376
https://twitter.com/DonovanGoliath/status/770160117975252992
They are babies fighting to be unapologetic Blk cos they aren't allowed to be. #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh pic.twitter.com/1A1hZEAKgp
— 𝚏𝚊𝚛𝚡𝚒𝚢𝚘. (@hausofriya) August 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/thesoulasylum/status/770139822082125824
The Gauteng Department of Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi arrived at Pretoria High School for Girls to investigate racism allegations by its black learners this morning.
Spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga told DRUM that it is too soon to determine what action will be taken against whom at the school if the girls’ concerns are valid.
“I can’t have a blanket solution for every time there is an outburst of racism at a school because each case is unique,” he says. “We want to know what is going on here before we can make a comment.”
