Booted from library for being a Rasta

This Rastafarian's bare feet, dreadlocks and brown sack clothes were not up to the standard of the National Library.

Cape Town - All a Cape Town man wanted to do was get into a public library and meet someone. But his bare feet, dreadlocks and brown sack clothes were enough to raise the hair of security guards, who blocked him from entering the National Library of South Africa in Victoria Street, Cape Town on Thursday.

Rastafarian Edmund Sonnenberg, 24, is now crying discrimination, saying he was denied access because of his “traditional” clothes.

“I was on my way to sign in when the security guard said I’m not suitably dressed to go into the Library,” he says.

“I asked her why and she said I am barefoot and wearing my traditional clothes.

“I have been to the library before and all the other times I was allowed inside.

“I feel like they discriminated against me because of my belief and the way I was dressed,” Edmund tells the Daily Voice.

His friend Roystain Lewis, who was inside the library, says he heard the commotion outside.

“She (security guard) was talking loud and refused him entry in front of everyone. She spoke to him like a child,” an upset Roystain adds.

But Terence Maphoto, head of security at the library dismissed the allegations saying: “The whole thing was blown out of proportion.

“He (Edmund) was not here to do any studying or research, he came to see someone.

“The security guard told him he doesn’t have to sign in, and if he is waiting for someone he can wait in the foyer.

“But he said he would wait outside.

“They are blowing this whole thing out of proportion,” adds Terence.

Daily Voice

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