A kind-hearted Daily Voice reader has offered a free hairdo to a 14-year-old schoolgirl whose hair was set on fire by a class bully.
The brave Belgravia High School teen will be returning to school today.
The grandmother of the Grade 8 pupil says she hopes the school will “do the right thing and expel the boy”.
In the incident, which was filmed in the classroom on Monday morning, the boy can be seen taunting the girl about her hair before burning her ponytail with a lighter.
He was suspended from school the next day.
Though the victim has been to counselling and has met social workers, she was still too traumatised to speak to the Daily Voice.
“I can’t speak about it now, it’s hurting,” she says, sighing deeply.
The ouma adds: “We have lost our lovely, sweet girl. She is not talking to anyone now due to the trauma, but I hope she will be ready to go back to school by Friday.
“She does not like talking about these things [previous bullying incidents]. Even now she can’t and we can see she is not fine.
“At least the boy is not there and the school is aware of the problem. They will pay attention and prevent these incidents from happening.
“I hope they’re taking it seriously and will protect her and all the learners.”
The family has welcomed the love and support they have received from the public after the article was published in the Daily Voice.
Hairdresser Zandre Gordon, 22, who runs a home business in Mitchells Plain, was herself once a victim of bullying.
The student at Northlink College has offered to help by doing the girl’s hair.
Mom Samira Solary, from Hanover Park, was triggered by the incident and remembered how her daughter was bullied at the school and had to pay a psychologist for her healing.
“The school will always tell you they are investigating, and nothing ever comes out of those investigations,” she said.
The Western Cape Education Department confirmed the boy was suspended as a precautionary measure pending a disciplinary hearing.