A catalyst for change

SOUTH AFRICA stands on the cusp of another crisis that could well define us or destroy us – depending on just how we grasp the nettle – sparked by the courage of a 13-year-old Pretoria High School for Girls (PHSG) pupil.

On the surface, the row is about hair regulations, more pertinently the rules pertaining to the wearing of hair by African pupils. But the issue is far deeper than that, evidenced by the veld fire speed with which the issue went viral.

#StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHighSchool follows a narrative first traced by #RhodesMustFall and to a lesser extent #FeesMustFall, deeply divisive issues that reach to our very core as South Africans.

In this latest iteration we see young schoolgirls being forced to speak out against adults, and particularly those in authority, at potentially great risk because the issues which they raise – and are now being echoed by alumnae more than a decade later – do not appear to be new.

The fact that they are being raised now does not in any way diminish their relevance, but only underscores how many black South Africans have felt disempowered for so long.

It is only now that they feel they can start to speak out, which is why this case has such incredible resonance.

But, like everything else, there are charlatans and opportunists aplenty who will be quick to leap on the bandwagon for their own expedient ends and if they are allowed to, we can be guaranteed that there will be no resolution of this issue or of any of the others.

We are heartened by Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi’s quick intervention. His passion for his job is matched only by his sense of fairness and vision for inclusivity.

Immediately setting up a task team to probe the issue and suspending the offending regulations have done much to defuse an explosive situation. We are heartened too by how other schools have responded proactively.

If handled correctly, the PGHS issue could become a catalyst for long overdue and meaningful change that spreads well beyond the classroom, benefiting us all.

We sincerely hope it does.