Straight talk about why hair matters – Independent Online

PRETORIA: The country united in support of Pretoria High School for Girls pupils in their protest against the school’s hair policy, which required black girls to straighten their hair.

Following intervention by Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, the protest was halted and the school given 21 days to revise its policies.

05/09/2015. Lerato Mashigo with her afro’LOVE AFFAIR’: Lerato Mashigo with her afro. Credit: Selaotswe Fofo Lerefolo

Similar protests have since erupted at schools across the country.

It’s accepted worldwide that a woman’s hair is her crowning glory and forms part of her identity.

But just why is hair so important to women – and perhaps men?

Linda Neethling, 43, of Pretoria East, said she had her hair done once every two or three months, depending on how bad it looked, spending between R800 and R1 000.

“My hair matters because it’s who I am. When you have beautiful hair you feel good, beautiful and neat.”

She highlights her hair using the foil technique and chooses the colour grey.

“No one should judge you about your hair texture, colour and length; your hair defines you. No one should ever tell you what to do with it and how it should be,” she said.

Lynette van Eck, 31, from Eersterus, sports a Brazilian weave; it’s 100 percent pure human hair from Brazil and costs R1 500.

Van Eck said she did not mind spending that much as the hairstyle made her feel good.

She said a woman’s hair was important because it was a reflection of her identity.

Nkhensani Manyike’s hair journey took her from a perm to a relaxer and a weave – and finally she found her signature look in natural hair.

“The whole issue with women’s hair is that it completes your look”

Raeesah Manjra, 15, from Laudium, insists on blonde foil highlights for her long black hair, despite it being fully covered every day, since she attends a Muslim school. “I like my hair long. I don’t cut it a lot, and I love my colour.”

Lerato Mashigo, 27, of Soshanguve, said so serious was her love affair with her hair that she would even decline a job that required her to cover her afro-like hairstyle, which stands out, grabs attention and gets her a lot of compliments.

Mashigo said she changed her hairstyle twice a month and the most expensive was her current afro at R350.

As for men, it seems their hair is quickly becoming their crowning glory too.

Kagiso Phetla, 29, from Mamelodi, has been growing his dreadlocks for six years and has no desire to cut them off anytime soon.

So, while Lesufi and the task team revise Pretoria High School for Girls policy, it is important to note that hairstyles have become one of the key aspects of personal grooming and fashion.

In addition, hairstyles are influenced by culture and popular personal choices.

from Hairstylez http://cityhairstyle.xyz/straight-talk-about-why-hair-matters-independent-online/