Lungani Zungu
In the Shembe church the men don’t cut their hair. It’s a custom as old as the church itself.
But on Monday, 10-year-old Amukelani Khumalo was chased away from school for upholding that tradition.
In Amukelani’s family they uphold the beliefs of the church and the grade 5 pupil has had his afro for some time.
The boy was excited to go back to school after the winter holidays, but his joy was short-lived. His day was quickly ruined when he was allegedly blocked from entering Cezwana Primary School in Jozini because of his afro.
Thandeka Khumalo, the boy’s mother, told Scrolla.Africa they were angry and humiliated.
“My son was discriminated against because of our beliefs,” said Thandeka.
She said Amukelani was blocked by his teacher at the gate, who told him to go home and shave his hair.
“He came home crying because of the humiliation he suffered at the hands of a teacher.”
Thokozani Mncwabe of the Shembe church expressed his rage at the incident.
“Our members continue to be discriminated against in schools and in the workplace. We plead with the people to stop doing this,” said Mncwabe.
He said church members were expected to stick to church rules. He said they believed that human powers lay in the hair and that is why men did not shave their hair.
“Shembe followers are expected to apply the rules correctly,” he said.
Kwazi Mthethwa, the spokesperson of the education department in KZN, said they would investigate the matter.
“We welcome and respect all learners regardless of their societal affiliation,” said Mthethwa.
