Page 41 - Urban Kapital Magazine Autumn 21

The discussions with Wakhile, Ayanda and
Kamohelo reflect that the ideal corporate
candidate would not only be lighter in com-
plexion but would also have a certain look
to them (light coloured eyes and hair that
is straight).

This then opens up the discussion of the hi-
erarchy within colourism itself, when one is
darker skinned with African features such
as a wider nose, thick lips and coarse 4C
hair; they are regarded less desirable when
compared to their lighter toned peer with
ADE X OF NUBIAN SKIN the same features. With further discussion,
the realization that the two women would
also be found less appealing when com-
comprehension of the questions posed, If you are a tall and dark man in a suit, you pared to a lighter skinned person with Eu-
fluency in languages, etcetera. The darker naturally command respect. Hiring a tall, ro-centric features such as a thinner nose,
you are the less intelligent you are per- dark man also represents diversity for a straight (at most coily 3C hair when the
ceived to be. I have always had white and company so it essentially is ‘a god look’. company is driving diversity as their corpo-
lighter toned superiors so it has become rate image) hair as well as thin lips.
a norm to expect lighter toned people in Ayanda Gumede: Definitely, especially for
positions of power. women. I sometimes feel that recruiters When it comes to body modification, vari-
use facial and body features as a criterion ous skin-bleaching methods have been in-
Kamohelo Maphike: In my experience, in the recruitment process, especially if the troduced for, mostly, women to bleach or
working as an English as a Second Lan- candidates for the position are just wom- lighten their skin to conform to the harmful
guage (ESL) teacher to Asian students en. Recruiters tend to choose the shapely, societal beauty standard of ‘lighter is bet-
and under a company that preferred light- lighter toned woman. Even in the ‘hierar- ter’. The influence of social media and pop-
er toned people was an issue for me. The chy’ the lighter skinned candidate will often ular culture have been evident in the rise
managers would adjust the camera set- possess a position higher that their darker of body modification as many social media
tings to make you appear lighter because skinned peer who may even be more quali- influencers have resorted to filming their
clients also preferred lighter toned people fied than they are. procedures and sharing tips and tricks to
which made me feel less than and unwor- achieving certain body goals.
thy. I had to make a decision to either per- Kamohelo Maphike: There is a hierarchy,
severe or seek employment somewhere for example in the teaching company that I Skin lightening creams and lotions such as
else. I chose to leave. worked for, most lighter skinned colleagues Caro light and Extra Clair are found in many
were not told to change their hairstyles shops and in the streets of Johannesburg,
I also worked for another company; which (from African styles like braids to straight South Africa. Some local celebrities such as
specialised in insurance sales where if weaves) and have their camera settings Kelly Khumalo and Khanyi Mbau have gone
you were white or of a lighter tone, you adjusted. as far as getting routine chemical injection
were given the easier to sell policy plans skin lightening. We see many people of col-
whereas the darker toned employees The colourism experience of each person of our opting for surgeries and do it yourself
would be given the more difficult tasks. colour differs as they grow and evolve. One (DIY) methods in an effort to change their
can even say that the topic of colourism is appearance to match that of the current
5. POC have many shades and the toughest pill to swallow in society be- trends on social media and celebrities.
tones, would you say that colourism has cause most people do not want to accept
created a hierarchy in the workplace and the idea that certain individuals and groups When looking at the various ways many ce-
do you think features such as hair, facial are treated differently because of their skin lebrities have chosen to celebrate the many
features and body type influence the “so tone. shades that people come in, one wonders
called” hierarchy as well as employabili- how the growing generations will deal with
ty? Colourism is often brought up in con- colourism. Celebrities like Rihanna who
versations of beauty and societal beauty released a make-up line that caters and
Wakhile Zimu: It goes two ways. Firstly, standards and not necessarily in the work matches to 40 shades of colour show that
for women features matter. You might environment. In most companies, the ‘’hi- beauty can be celebrated in all shades, age
have the qualifications and even the skin erarchy’’ involves white men and women and race without bashing the other. Ade X
tone but if you do not fit “the look” then in executive positions and when there is a of Nubian Skin created a lingerie and ho-
you might not get the job. Secondly, where person of colour; the position is filled by the siery brand for women of colour because of
men are concerned colourism plays a lighter toned candidate with – as per the the lack of inclusivity in the retail industry MAGAZINE // 41
huge role in corporate South Africa. ‘normal’ society standards of beauty have for women of colour.
labelled - appealing to the eye. Continued...