Woolworths employee tells of isiphandla ‘humiliation’
A Woolworths employee is accusing the retail giant of unfair labour practices after she was placed under suspension for wearing traditional animal skin wristband isiphandla at work.
Mathapelo Nkopane says an investigation was launched and she was ultimately suspended from the Blairgowrie store in Johannesburg after she came to work wearing isiphandla.
Nkopane was given the isiphandla to wear after a cultural ceremony was performed to appease her ancestors.
The suspended Woolworths employee says she was shocked to learn of her suspension since company policy allows her to wear the sacred animal skin wristband.
When the matter was raised with her, she was told to write a statement explaining the matter to management.
"Immediately after they had read the statement I was suspended with immediate effect and I was told that I'm still under investigation," says Nkopane.
"I'm still waiting for them to contact me and tell me what is happening."
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The South African government holds a 39% stake in the company. "The majority shareholders when you combine the PIC shares with the one of government, together, it gives them 51% shares meaning they have a voice in the board itself. It means the government has a role in intervening in these retrenchments."
In a second meeting, Nkopane says she was bombarded with inappropriate questions and subjected to discrimination.
"I felt that some of the questions were not relevant like I really wouldn't like to answer them because I felt that this thing is private and confidential. I do not have to tell everyone the reasons why I have this.
"I felt discriminated with the way my line manager was speaking to me and the questions was imposing on me according to this isiphandla," she adds. "I felt humiliated."
According to Nkopane this was not the first time she had worn the spandla to work but this was the first that management had taken issue with it.
"I had my first isiphandla in 2018, I think it was around September, after we has a ceremony at home."
She adds that she hopes the matter will be resolved speedily.
Blairgowrie store manager Xolile Zondo refused to comment, only saying the matter was being investigated.
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