Get down to roots of the hair problem
Youth should reject notion that you have to conform to be successful
THE topic of African hair has sparked much debate recently. This should be a sign to everyone that the issue is not necessarily about hair. It represents a much bigger problem related to the shifts that we all still need to make towards accepting our natural traits as normal instead of as an exception to be discouraged.
Even though I hope that one day our children will not need to protest to be heard, it was inspiring to witness the young girls of Pretoria High School for Girls choosing to stand up to a school policy that discourages them from being their authentic selves. These girls are now more likely to grow into the kind of leaders who accept themselves and do not believe they need to change who they fundamentally are to succeed.
Assume there was a global headline that read: “There was much national debate in South Africa on the topic of whether young girls should be permitted to wear their natural Afros to school.”
If we pause for a second and absorb this, hopefully everyone realises that it is ridiculous that, of all places in the world, this is occurring in an African country where the majority of the population are born with Afros on their heads.
Carice Anderson, an AfricanAmerican natural-hair expert who wrote regularly on this topic for Destiny Magazine and has lived in South Africa for five years, is appalled that this is even an issue where there is a black majority.
“If we can’t wear our hair in its natural state in Africa, where can we wear it? I believe this issue isn’t just for Africans in Africa. Winning this battle is for all those of African descendants who are minorities in regions such as North America, South America and Europe. We face similar discrimination and ostracising in school and professional spaces.”
In an interview with CNN, one of the protesting students, Zulaikha Patel, said: “The issue of hair is something that has followed me my entire life . . . Even in primary I was told that my hair is not natural, it is exotic. My Afro was not wanted . . . The issue followed me to high school, where I was told to relax, or straighten, or cut my hair.”
Girls wanting to keep their hair natural should not even be a debate. But, sadly, we are having it because some of the issues from the past continue to plague us. That many of our school policies are similar to Pretoria High School for Girls’ policies is not a reason not to consider reforming outdated policies. Perhaps the country is ready to challenge the basis of what “acceptable grooming” is in South African schools.
What is even more difficult is that this is not just an issue in schools but in business. I often hear stories of black professionals getting strange looks in the workplace when they wear their hair in its natural form.
As an international speaker, I have become accustomed to certain questions that audience members would ask me immediately after my speeches.
Normally, the inquiries are about the content of my presentation. Since moving back home, one of the PSA Group’s factory in Chengdu, China, will focus on its Peugeot and Citroën brands strangest things about South African audiences is they often ask me about my natural hair. In no other country in the world have I experienced this.
I find myself having to give answers such as “Yes, I do wear my hair naturally every day”, and “No, it is not hard to maintain my own natural hair — you can do it too.”
One woman told me that when she initially saw my Afro, she thought I
I hear of black professionals getting strange looks when they wear their hair in its natural form
was an artistic entertainer and was surprised to hear me sharing insights about leadership in business instead.
All this goes to show that our country is hungry for role models beyond the field of the arts who will make the nation realise that there is nothing strange about keeping your hair natural if you want to.
People worldwide generally feel comfortable with wearing their hair in its natural form — it is about time South Africans do too. It is OK to be comfortable with who we are.
For me, what started out as a means to save money and time on my hair ended up being perceived as a statement on self-acceptance. I am fine with that. In fact, I encourage more business leaders out there to do the same until such point that this is not something perceived as unconventional.
A small act like seeing a respected leader wearing their hair naturally might actually inspire young students and professionals to believe that they, too, can be successful without having to conform to what society tells you to be.
In this way, we are building an era of authentic, self-confident leaders who do not feel the need to hide themselves or conform to others’ expectations in order to succeed.
Sikhakhane is an international speaker, writer and business adviser with an honours degree in business science from the University of Cape Town and an MBA from Stanford University