It’s African, it’s gorgeous, it’s worn by leaders. The doek deserves respek

The doek – that understated, elegant headscarf worn across Africa – has been in the spotlight this week.

It started when an angry email written by journalist Nontobeko Sibisi was leaked to the media. In the email, Sibisi called out the eNCA newsroom for pulling her Africa Day video “because for nine seconds of an about three-minute piece I appear wearing a doek”.

Sibisi, an eNCA arts and entertainment reporter, wrote the email to her colleagues in the newsroom. In it, she stated that she was not informed or consulted on the removal of her footage and was only made aware of the situation in passing by a sub-editor.

eNCA’s editor-in-chief, Anton Harber denied that the piece had been pulled, but admitted that “the person who had pulled it” was out of the country so he was unable to clarify the situation.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation for eNCA with some employees calling for a revisiting of the company’s style guide. 

Many also took to social media to pledge their support for Sibisi and the wearing of the doek with the #RespekTheDoek. 

From student protests to the first ladies, some of South Africa’s most influential women wear the doek with pride, honour and grace. 

Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma during the meeting of the peace and security council at the level of heads of state and government held at the old African Union Building in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Picture: Siyasanga Mbambani/DoC

First ladies Thobeka Mabhija, Bongi Ngema and Nonkululeko Mhlongo at a Christmas party in Nkandla. Picture: Khaya Ngwenya

ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, former Malawi president Joyce Banda, President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, speaker of the South African Parliament Baleka Mbete, Founder of the African Union’s Diaspora African Forum Mission Erieka Bennett and AU Commission Chair Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma at a women of excellence award banquet. Picture: Elizabeth Sejake

#RespekTheDoek pic.twitter.com/Qz9lev5THq

— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) June 2, 2016

Democratic Alliance spokesperson Phumzile van Damme. Picture: Twitter

Treasurer-general of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Magdalene Moonsamy. Picture: Twitter 

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at the repatriation of the remains of Moses Kotane and JB Marks from Moscow Picture: Lisa Hnatowicz /Nuus Noord

Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel at a Nelson Mandela Challenge at Ellis Park in 2005. Picture: Halden Krog

Wits student representative council president Nompendulo Mkhatshwa leads the #FeesMustFall protest. Picture: AFP