Review
Reviewed Book:
Reviewed Book:
“Jonga miss iinwele zethu” (look teacher our hair)! Shouted the grade R class at seeing the cover of Mpumi’s magic beads. More exciting was that one of the girls in class had beads in her golden braids. I felt like Lebohang’s job was done even before reading the book to the learners. The pride in and excitement at seeing their hair on a book cover proved that representation matters. Especially in the current political climate where there are schools in South Africa where black children are not allowed to wear their natural hair freely as they wish. This book says to black children: your hair is beautiful, it is magic and do not be afraid to let the magic out. It screams validation and love. This book is what pride would look like if it had a face.
