EL pioneers African hair affair

CELEBRATING the best is what Africa Hair and Beauty week is all about.

The three-day event, which starts in East London tomorrow – international Africa Day – has drawn leaders and gurus in many sectors of the field.

Victor Msomi, vicepresident of the Employers’ Organisation for Hairdressing, Cosmetology and Beauty, commended East London for pioneering the event.

“We are so excited about the initiative, especially because it has come from the Eastern Cape where unemployment is so high.

“This is the perfect platform to empower and upskill the youth while celebrating our established professionals, who will be demonstrating and hosting a series of workshops.

“We are proud to be partners in this event, which we hope to see grow and create employment opportunities in the province.

“We are a non-profit organisation. We strive to provide our members with a full range of services relating to labour matters and to address the needs of our members with integrity, professionalism and sound business practice.

“We want to promote unity among salon owners, black and white,” he said.

BCM local economic development manager Xolelwa Majiza said they had forged partnerships with several organisations to uplift the standards of hairstylists in the metro.

“We will be sponsoring R200 000 worth of salon equipment for 15 stylists who have been under our mentorship programme since last year.

“They will also be demonstrating skills they have learnt during the period.

“This event is not just for established hair salon owners, but for those renting chairs and working from street corners as well.

“Our support will continue beyond the event to support those stylists and put them into programmes too.

“We encourage the public to make the most of the event because they will also get a few good tips on their makeup and hair products.

Ikon TD Music record manager Phila Koshin said national artist Sandz of Tigi-Tig Tiggi fame would be the headline act.

“We have been preparing for the Bush Fire festival in Swaziland, and from East London that’s where we will be heading. That’s just to assure you of level of effort we have been rehearsing for.

“Sandz will also be performing his new single. The whole album embraces and celebrates the beauty of a woman, which I think is rather fitting for the event.”

Koshin said they would also sell signed CDs at the event.

● Tickets are available at Edcon stores and Ticket Pro at R200 each for the duration of the event. —