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Racism in schools: Ayanda Borotho speaks out

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(Ayanda Borotho/ Instagram)
(Ayanda Borotho/ Instagram)

You might know her from Isibaya as the gentle and down to earth second wife of Mpiyakhe Zungu, a respected taxi owner.

But Ayanda Borotho is not as traditional of a wife as you have been led to believe. Ayanda is in fact an elegant mom of three who believes strongly in female empowerment and pan-Africanism.

Although we know her on-screen character well, there is more to this all-round mom, from advocating for home births to her parenting style and more. 


 Must read: Celeste Ntuli and Ayanda Borotho on their roles as sister-wives in Isibaya

One of her parenting approaches is that she doesn't want her children to speak English at home, which is a formidable step for African parents, since some children grow up never really knowing their mother tongue.

Recently the 36-year-old actress expressed her anger at the ill-treatment that her daughter received from school. 

According to her Instagram post, Ayanda's daughter was caught in a disagreement with a white teacher. The teacher had made a statement implying that the BEE system puts black South Africans in a position of privilege and that 'white privilege' does not exist in the South African context.

Ayanda's daughter claims the teacher and her classmates, who are predominantly white, attacked her for disagreeing with the teacher's statement.

In the post, Ayanda shared screenshots of a conversation she had with her daughter.

She captioned the post "I am sooooooo sick and tired of our children being subjected to this nonsense. I am fuming! I have always made it a point to educate my children about the "real" history and "true" dynamics of this country." 


 Also read: South African stories that teach kids about race in a positive way

Ayanda shared that despite her teaching her daughter about race issues, racial dynamics become too much for children.

"I've raised my daughter to stand up against racial intolerance and misguided information about this country! But even for a child it can be too much...but I am always proud that she stands her ground @ayaaa.ngu".

Ayanda is clearly upset that there is still racial tension in schools 25 years into democracy.

"The entitlement of white South Africans is beyond me. Tell me of one white domestic worker! Point her to me! When is South Africa going to take seriously the fact that we need OUR own schools, schools that will instill pride in our own beauty, rebuilding our sense of identity! When will this be an agenda for you South Africa? Please tell me when?????"

Her Instagram followers and other celebrities shared their disbelief over the incident.

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