Zulaikha Patel

Zulaikha Patel (born 2002), is a South African anti-racism activist, black radical feminist and a writer. She became the symbol of the fight against institutionalized racism and decolonization of policies in schools at Pretoria Girls High School at the age of 13. Quotes I believe in anti-racism so much because I believe it's at the core of us solving so many other social issues 12 May, 2025 The minute we lose the ability to see the humanity in the next person that looks different from you—that's when racism is planted into the fibre of society, and that's when we desensitize ourselves to the importance of existing in a just and equitable world with people that look different from us As much as the apartheid regime has no longer been constitutionalised, racism hasn't disappeared I first-hand got to see racism from my identity not being welcomed or understood The generation of Nelson Mandela brought political emancipation. But political emancipation doesn't exist without economic and mental emancipation Laws can change, but people still have to change Unapologetically afro: Zulaikha Patel’s ongoing fight for justice and identity 12 May, 2025 I've realised that a big part of fighting racism deals with the mind — and the only way to unlock and liberate the mind is through access to knowledge the oppressed — Black people, people of colour — need to get to a point where they take themselves out of their own mental prison and liberate their minds I believe that books play a big role, especially books by Africans, in seeing representation, seeing yourself being written up in a positive light, seeing your existence reflected in the pages of literature One of the things that the apartheid regime was very successful at was making all schools in rural areas and townships environments in which it's difficult to come out and be a leader in society I believe that if we can work on empowering those schools, we'll definitely be doing a huge job in society Poverty is a manmade crisis The economy in South Africa is still divided, and wealth and poverty have opposite faces The fight against racism is a fight for the betterment of all of humanity, because it determines how we will live amongst each other, and how resources will be shared Young people make up a majority of the global population, but they are still not included in building a world that they are going to inherit I still lived in a world where every last bit of your life was determined by your race: what kind of opportunities you're going to be exposed to, the kind of school you'll go to, the environment you’ll live in. My entire world still was determined on the basis of race. One of the things that made me unable to escape activism was that growing up, I experienced a huge amount of anti-Blackness, which I became very aware of just being in a family with both my parents of colour I realised that you have one of two choices: either you try to speak up and see what the effects of speaking up will be, or you die in silence over the silent war you constantly find yourself in I chose to speak up because I felt it was an injustice of its own for me to see the reality of the institution and still choose to be silent. I chose to be an activist because I don't want a generation of young South Africans to still be having the same kind of conversations about systemic and institutional racism 30 years from now I was 13, 14 years old, a child basically, [and] I was receiving death threats from old white adults we spoke up about something we were always taught to be silent about I work in these spaces where you're constantly speaking up and you’re always pouring into other people's cups and your cup is hardly poured into Black children see the diversity of the world around them and understand that just because someone doesn't look like them, that doesn't make them inferior The most urgent thing that needs to happen to ensure that education is used as a tool to change the world is firstly, it needs to be accessible We need to ensure that previously poorly funded schools aren't continuing to be disadvantaged now I Received Death Threats for Protesting Against Racism in High School — But I Never Stopped Fighting 31 March, 2023 So, in my journey of finding my voice to speak up against racism I began to decolonise my mind, unlocking the shackles, and unlearning the belief of looking at Eurocentric beauty as the standard for beauty I then began to see my hair as not just hair but a central core element of identity asking me to change my hair is like asking me to erase my blackness and you cannot separate the two I hope that when children pick up my book it empowers them to feel proud of their existence and their identity and it ultimately empowers their existence and enables them to proudly be themselves Your greatest power lies in proudly being yourself and that awakens a new level of consciousness Societal beauty standards largely impact children’s self-esteem especially in a world where children are exposed to social media without any boundaries or limitations Representation plays a huge role in prompting acceptance and inclusivity, as well as decolonising what is already represented out there, Whether It Be In Books, media outlets, or television As long as we have not won the war on racism in this country, we have not won the war on hair policies The hair policy is a symptom of a greater diagnosis of institutionalised racism and systemic racism Too many young people are over-mentored and underfunded I believe young people are not as engaged in various aspects of activism, primarily because of being excluded I hope that my activism leaves a trail of impact by Empowering more people to feel empowered to see the power in their voices and use their voices to effect change around them A journey of self-discovery: Zulaikha Patel on hair activism, identity, and empowerment 9 December, 2024 There was a pencil test [during the apartheid in South Africa],” she said. “If a pencil was put into your hair and when you shook your head, it did not slide out, you would pass for coloured, if it stayed inside you would be considered Black I was being forced to assimilate to whiteness and being forced to assimilate to an image that I did not fit into You can't separate any expression of Black hair from Black identity, especially because for Black people it's more than just hair It’s not just hair, it’s a statement of identity 20 March, 2023 I’ve always kept that close to my heart, understanding that everything I do is not just for me but for those who came before me who walked so I could fly, who did not have the means to do what I do but ensured that I would You don’t need to justify your place, you are valid and so is your place here You are capable of being great regardless of anything anyone says. I would like to see a South Africa where young people and the tools to empower them — such as education, literacy and employment — are prioritised Zulaikha Patel n.d The most important message is that bravery doesn't have a size or age You don't have to be a famous person person to bring about change in the world or in a community Before 2016, i was already someone shaped by my experiences and beliefs, preparing me for the moment I finally stood up for myself Bravery can co-exist with fear Fear, anxiety, self doubt is normal. But at the end of the day, bravery is doing it regardless. Activist Zulaikha Patel shares her journey of writing Brave Like Me 31 March,2025 Asking me to change my hair is like asking me to erase my blackness I believe no young person should abandon their childhood to fight struggles that should have been fought decades ago Get To Know Anti-Racism Activist Zulaikha Patel n.d My activism has thrust me into the public domain from a tender young age, and ultimately I spent all my teenage years growing up directly in the public eye, which at times became difficult as I had to grow up much quicker than my years in order to navigate public commentary and critique the 1956 march continues to remain a “source of inspiration for me on the power that women’s voices hold and a source of inspiration to continue advocating for justice and human rights. A huge part of my activism has been to empower people to use their own voices to change the world and their circumstances The world is changed by ordinary people that have the audacity to use their voices for change I strongly believe that seeing yourself represented in the pages of books empowers one’s existence Zulaikha Patel: Former Pretoria Girls High pupil who protested against discriminatory hair policies joins Newzroom Afrika 13 August, 2025 I wanted to ensure that no other Black child that comes after me should ever experience this severe form of intimidation Zulaikha Patel Celebrates Black Hair With New Book 'My Coily Crowny Hair 16 April, 2021 Even in communities of colour, there is a lot of anti-blackness A time to be brave with Zulaikha Patel 15 April, 2025 Gender-based violence isn't only physical, there's TGBV (Technology-Facilitated Gender Based Violence) and a lot of it starts on social media. Zulaikha Patel tackles social media issues! 15 May, 2025 When you wear your Afro out, you are already starting your politics Small acts begin in your home Youth Month spotlight: Zulaikha Patel and crowning the glory 11 June, 2022 [My conviction] is inspired by a deep desire for change and justice, and the fact that as young South African people we are defined as ‘Born-Free’, but have never had a chance to interrogate freedom and ask questions about our democracy We’re not seeing enough young people at the decision-making table When we demand change for the future that we’re going to inherit, we’re told we’re overly radical or that people at the [decision-making] table speak for us Activism is playing such a big role in shaping the future. It’s giving young people and marginalised communities a voice to define their future, Give Young People a Seat at the Decision-Making Table, Says South African Activist Zulaikha Patel 15 June, 2020 South Africa is a perfect example of how destructive reform is as opposed to abolition Young people also belong where policies are being drafted, where policies are being made GENERATION NEXT: ZULAIKHA PATEL 15 January, 2022 Stay genuine to your cause, constantly ensure that you listen So I believe that there is power in choosing to select your thoughts in the same manner that you select clothing in the morning take a seat, look at how far you've come, congratulate yourself and work on bettering yourself in whatever skills you have because we will never get a time like this ever again I do not like being labelled as a born-free because I've always questioned whether the freedom is a reality Zulaikha Patel On Self-Care, Self-Love, GBV & Emancipation of the Mind 28 April, 2020 My activism located me at a time when I couldn’t reject it due to the conditions ‘I feel honoured’: Activist Zulaikha Patel wins Editor’s Choice award 29 June, 2003 I want a young black girl child to understand her capabilities are not limited by her physical appearance but are enhanced when she is confident and owning who she is Activist Zulaikha Patel says first book will reignite passion for black hair and African literature 14 April, 2021 External links Unapologetically afro: Zulaikha Patel’s ongoing fight for justice and identity Zulaikha Patel Category:Women activists from South Africa Category:Women authors from South Africa Category:Anti-racism activists Category:Radical feminists Category:2002 births Category:Women born in the 2000s Category:Living people