Edenvale High school allegedly detains student for wearing afro to school

The older brother of an Edenvale High School student has labelled the school’s actions criminal and racist after his brother was allegedly detained for an entire school day and kept from his studies after he wore his hair in its natural state to school.

This is my kid brother, a learner @EdenvaleHigh and he was locked in a boardroom the entire day on Friday because he has big natural black hair. It is not untidy and i do not see why it shouldnt be permitted in school pic.twitter.com/ZZTAqjeEMv

— Scott (@greymabasa) April 15, 2019

Speaking to the Citizen, Lloyd Mabasa explained that his brother “went to school on Friday with his hair out”, which is not the style he normally wears it in.

He was then allegedly told that the style was unacceptable and detained in a boardroom as a result.

“I felt that was highly unfair and an attack on his blackness,” added Mabasa.

Taking away my brother's fundamental and constitutional right to learn because his hair doesn't suit your monolithic view of what constitutes "neat" is criminal and to say the least, racist!

— Scott (@greymabasa) April 15, 2019

During his detention, Mabasa’s brother was not allowed to contact his parents and was only able to tell them what happened once he got home after school.

Your code of conduct is narrow and fundamentally flawed in defining what neatness for boys is with the diverse number cultures and races that are enrolled in your school. pic.twitter.com/pUda6JEGc5

— Scott (@greymabasa) April 15, 2019

.@EdenvaleHigh you need to shape up and stop pushing your weird, outdated and oppressive agenda on black kids, who have every right to see their hair as beautiful, neat and correct because it is and saying otherwise is oppressive.

— Scott (@greymabasa) April 15, 2019

You have no right to take away any child's means to learn! Its disappointing and despicable!

Im livid and I really hope you apologize to my brother and never have an incident like this occur.

— Scott (@greymabasa) April 15, 2019

When asked if his parents had been contacted regarding the matter, Mabasa explained: “I’m not sure if my parents have gone to the school yet but I will be checking later.”

By Wednesday, Mabasa’s father had met with the principal and vice principal of the school who had reportedly apologised “for the school’s rash actions towards my brother and not informing to them about the incident”.

They agreed to a public apology in addition to revising the school’s code of conduct to tackle what they called “an issue they had neglected over the years”.

The Citizen called the school for comment and were directed to email questions which would be forwarded to the necessary parties. Edenvale High has yet to respond.

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