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Spanking is illegal but what about shoe hiding?

Instead of using the standard bush knife like the men did, the women used their shoes to chop down the sugarcane

While children are rejoicing the Constitutional Court’s latest ruling, parents are wondering what the future holds.
If you haven’t heard as yet, ConCourt has ruled that spanking your child is now illegal.
However, for some parents there is still some debate over the ruling.
Indian parents in particular are wondering if the rule applies to spanking alone and if shoe hiding is still an acceptable form of punishment.
Rumour has it that shoe hiding dates back to the 1860s, when Indians were first brought over the ocean as indentured labourers.
Instead of using the standard bush knife like the men did, the women used their shoes to chop down the sugarcane.
With years of training in wielding a shoe, it eventually became a weapon of sorts in the war against naughty children.
Now, all Indian children know that when you see an Indian mother with a shoe in her hand, trouble is coming your way.
Shoe hiding isn’t about abuse either; it’s about instilling respect and discipline into children.
You didn’t have to get physically hit by the shoe to know you have to behave; just the sight of an angry mother waving it was enough to get you to sit down and shut up.
Sally Aunty, who has long used shoe hiding to keep her son, Sagren in check, is wondering how the new law will affect her.
“You know this rubbish child doesn’t listen. Now I can’t even give him one two hot slaps? What they want me to do with him?”
Sally Aunty isn’t the only one though. Many parents have taken to social media, asking the same question.
Memes have also been doing the rounds of parents threatening to dump their children at the court’s doorsteps, hoping the court could discipline them now that a good old-fashioned slap wasn’t allowed.
And while the court remains adamant it is illegal to hit your child, Sally Aunty remains adamant too that as long as that Sagren fella is under her roof, she will discipline him as she sees fit.


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