LIMPOPO – THE department of education is engaging with personnel of Masealama Secondary School in Ga-Mamabolo near Moria after the expulsion of a gr. 10 learner for having dreadlocks.
Gr. 10 learner, Isaac Letsoalo (22) said he was expelled last month for having his hair in dreadlocks.
Letsoalo said he followed the Rastafari movement and his dreadlocks were part of his religion. He said expelling him from school was like undermining or fighting against his religion. He further said all religions were legalised in South Africa and he had the right to practise it, as it was enshrined in the Constitution.
“I was surprised when a teacher came and told me to go home to remove my dreadlocks. I have been in this school since gr. 8 with dreadlocks and they never had any problems with my hairstyle.
“What worries me the most is that the teacher called my hairstyle rubbish. I informed the principal but nothing was done about this matter. Instead I was told to bring my parents to school. I told them I was an orphan but they didn’t cared,” he said.
“I am now behind in my school work and I’m worried that I may not be able to write my final examinations. I know I have repeated some of the grades but I still have the dream of acquiring a matric certificate in order to better my life,” he said.
The department of education’s communications manager, Dr Naledzani Rasila, said the department did not interfere with people’s religion.
“I will pass the information to governance to give direction. The department has no policy that decides on people’s religious beliefs. However, one religious belief must not infringe on another. This emphasises that, in this case for example, the hairstyle one has should not disturb the learning and teaching processes,” he said.
Rasila said the department would do a follow-up with the school to ensure that Letsoalo was allowed back.
