A devout Rastafarian marathon runner who claims he lost his job two years ago when he refused to cut off his dreadlocks, is hoping the East London Equality Court will finally settle the matter this week.
Instead of demanding financial compensation for himself, Attwell Masupha, 48, wants recruitment agency Workforce Group to sponsor a long-distance charity run to Cape Town to raise funds for Hospice in Parkside.
“It is not about getting money for myself,” he said on Friday.
“It is wrong that Rastas are discriminated against and undermined because of our dreadlocks and religion. I am a Rasta and my hair is part of my religion.”
According to Masupha, he was dismissed as a driver’s assistant at Parmalat after just one day on the job when management allegedly complained to labour brokers Workforce about his long dreadlocks.
He was ordered to cut them off or lose his job.
“I refused. I lost my job.”
Masupha claims Workforce initially agreed to sponsor takkies and a back-up vehicle for the long-distance charity run when he first took the matter to court two years ago, but later changed their tune and offered him a R2000 out-of-court settlement.
“It did not work out so I have taken them back to court.”
Workforce public relations spokeswoman Keri Krug said: “The matter is pending litigation and can therefore not be commented on.
“Workforce Holdings Limited treats all its permanent and contract staff professionally, fairly and with respect, regardless of race, gender, religion, or political views.”
Masupha, said Workforce had placed him in several other contract jobs in East London without any problem over his dreadlocks before he started at Parmalat.
“I always covered my dreads with a hat when I worked.”
Masupha said at the end of his first day at Parmalat, a manager came up to him and asked why he had no uniform.
“I said I had just started that day and had no uniform.
“He asked me to take off my hat so he could take a picture of me and promised me a uniform.”
The next day, Masupha claims he was not collected at his usual Workforce pick-up point near his Scenery Park home.
“I later found out that I would not be allowed back at work unless I cut off my dreadlocks.”
According to an affidavit submitted to the court earlier this year by Masupha, he said the way he had been treated was a violation of his human rights.
“I am a devoted Rastafari and my hair and beard is an integral part of my religion.
“The actions of the respondent to refuse me employment because of my hair and beard, and that if I cut it they would give me employment, is against my constitutional rights.”
No longer with Workforce, the running Rasta now operates a small garden service business in Scenery Park.
An avid marathon runner for 25 years, Masupha has completed eight Two Oceans marathons in silver medal times, as well as five Comrades marathons.
In 2010, he spent 18 days running to Cape Town with Linda Poyo to raise funds for charity. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
‘Running Rasta’ off to equality court for cause
Instead of demanding financial compensation for himself, Attwell Masupha, 48, wants recruitment agency Workforce Group to sponsor a long-distance charity run to Cape Town to raise funds for Hospice in Parkside.
“It is not about getting money for myself,” he said on Friday.
“It is wrong that Rastas are discriminated against and undermined because of our dreadlocks and religion. I am a Rasta and my hair is part of my religion.”
According to Masupha, he was dismissed as a driver’s assistant at Parmalat after just one day on the job when management allegedly complained to labour brokers Workforce about his long dreadlocks.
He was ordered to cut them off or lose his job.
“I refused. I lost my job.”
Masupha claims Workforce initially agreed to sponsor takkies and a back-up vehicle for the long-distance charity run when he first took the matter to court two years ago, but later changed their tune and offered him a R2000 out-of-court settlement.
“It did not work out so I have taken them back to court.”
Workforce public relations spokeswoman Keri Krug said: “The matter is pending litigation and can therefore not be commented on.
“Workforce Holdings Limited treats all its permanent and contract staff professionally, fairly and with respect, regardless of race, gender, religion, or political views.”
Masupha, said Workforce had placed him in several other contract jobs in East London without any problem over his dreadlocks before he started at Parmalat.
“I always covered my dreads with a hat when I worked.”
Masupha said at the end of his first day at Parmalat, a manager came up to him and asked why he had no uniform.
“I said I had just started that day and had no uniform.
“He asked me to take off my hat so he could take a picture of me and promised me a uniform.”
The next day, Masupha claims he was not collected at his usual Workforce pick-up point near his Scenery Park home.
“I later found out that I would not be allowed back at work unless I cut off my dreadlocks.”
According to an affidavit submitted to the court earlier this year by Masupha, he said the way he had been treated was a violation of his human rights.
“I am a devoted Rastafari and my hair and beard is an integral part of my religion.
“The actions of the respondent to refuse me employment because of my hair and beard, and that if I cut it they would give me employment, is against my constitutional rights.”
No longer with Workforce, the running Rasta now operates a small garden service business in Scenery Park.
An avid marathon runner for 25 years, Masupha has completed eight Two Oceans marathons in silver medal times, as well as five Comrades marathons.
In 2010, he spent 18 days running to Cape Town with Linda Poyo to raise funds for charity. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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