Youth Month spotlight: Zulaikha Patel and crowning the glory

News24

a day ago

Zulaikha Patel is the author of children's book called Brave Like Me.
She believes people should be able to live freely and boldly.
Zulaikha says memories of high school hair policies still linger.
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Nine years ago, Zulaikha Patel, the fearless founder of Dare to Change, sparked an anti-racism movement that ignited a global conversation. The world watched, mesmerised, as a harsh reality set in: the past isn't just a distant memory but a reflection of the present – and a reminder that the fight for justice is far from over.
The members of that movement still grow, fuelling a new generation of change-makers. As Zulaikha's journey continues, her latest milestone – the release of her second book, Brave Like Me – shines a light on her personal story of childhood bravery forged alongside her dad.
This heartwarming biographical children's book intertwines with her courageous stand in 2016, revealing a powerful intersection of the past andpresent. It raises the question: how do you make your voice echo through the noise? As we step into Youth Month this June, this question becomes a rallying cry.
It reminds young people to reflect on the world they want to create. What kind of country do they envision? What barriers hold them back from unleashing their full selves? How do personal expressions like hair become a battleground, colliding with restrictive policies? And how can one dare to challenge the status quo and spark real change?
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Hair tangled in politics
From the outside, contemporary South Africa is a beautiful place. Visitors flock from around the world to witness its beauty, but beneath the surface, the past continues to cast a long, silent shadow. It's a past marked by painful reminders, like the 'pencil test' that once determined your race and dictated your future.
Zulaikha notes how for many young South Africans, this past feels distant, disconnected from their daily lives.
Yet, despite this disconnection, they're still grappling with the weight of identity and belonging. They're searching for their place in the world, with the complexities of growing up in a country where history and culture are intertwined.
And as they look to the future, they're faced with reconciling their own stories with the ones that have shaped their nation.
The world around them, from the streets they call home to the schools they attend, shapes their voice and molds their sense of self. And surprisingly, something that can seem as mundane as hair policies in schools can have an increasing impact, influencing how they see themselves and their place in the world.
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Hair policies in schooling systems
The memories of high school hair policies still linger, a strict code that governed every strand. Only neutral-coloured hair pieces are allowed, and no bold dye jobs to express individuality.
Hair had to be tied back, never framing their faces or obstructing their eyes. Beads and other hair accessories? Forbidden.
For Samki and Ntsephe, these rules left them trapped and restricted. Their hair was reduced to a conformist norm. But Orethabisitse saw it differently – a line had to be drawn somewhere, a balance between personal style and school regulations.
However, for Zulaikha, it exceeds the simple notion of school regulations. 'People should exist boldly and freely, without any control or surveillance,' she notes.
Zulaikha points out the elephant in the room: many of these hair policies have their roots in the apartheid era, and it's time we stop beating around the bush.
The racism isn't 'underlying' – it's blatant, it's real, and it's still perpetuated today. For her, this conversation also serves as a stark reminder that, as Black people, there's still a long journey ahead.
'As Black people, we still have a long way to go because our minds tend to be our oppressors,' she says. This internalised oppression can be subtle, yet powerful. Even something like wearing your hair in its natural state can be a radical act.
'When you wear your Afro out, you are already stating your politics,' she notes.
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Rooted in identity, Zulaikha, with her proud Ndebele and Indian roots, has always celebrated her mixed-race heritage. She reminds people to think about how they express their politics through the way they wear their hair.
For those looking to challenge restrictive hair policies that stifle self-expression, she offers some practical advice:
- Write the concerns: This simple act can be powerful. By putting your thoughts and feelings into words, you're able to clarify thoughts, identify patterns of injustice, and create a paper trail that can be used to advocate for change.
- Go to the district managers of your school: They have the power to implement policy changes and address specific issues within your school.
- Go to external governing bodies: The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has the authority to investigate and address human rights violations, including those related to discriminatory hair policies. By involving the SAHRC, you can bring attention to the issue and work towards creating systemic change that benefits not just yourself, but future generations.
Being brave
'It's the small waves of change in societies and communities that get blown into greater waves of change in societies,' Zulaikha shares. 'Small acts begin in your home, community, circle, and spaces that you're in.'
She emphasises that Youth Day is about the younger generation pushing forward, building on the progress made by those who fought for freedom and equality. As she eloquently puts it, hair is a symbol of resistance and a continuation of the fight for freedom.
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A post shared by Zulaikha (زليخة) Patel🇿🇦 (@zulaikhapatel_)
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