Spreading the health message
MAKING STATEMENT: HAIRSTYLIST USES ART TO BRING AWARENESS ABOUT PANDEMIC
‘Dreadlocks on my head are like a house, the locks with words are like furniture.’
Hairstylist Onele Cembi could have the most unique way to educate South Africans about Covid-19. The stylist from KwaNobhuhle, Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, said he wanted to pass on the message about the virus to children and teach them how to spell by “writing” the words in his dreadlocks.
“Children seem to be ignorant about Covid-19. They often play in the streets and most of those who don’t even wear masks often chase me, stop and stare to read … and that’s when I explain to them to stay at home and use soap to wash their hands regularly,” said Cembi, who has worn dreadlocks for 10 years.
He said it took about an hour to “write” the words “Covid-19”, “quarantine” or “lockdown” with his dreadlocks, using additional dreadlocks where necessary.
“First I use my dreadlocks on my head to make a stand, so the words ‘Covid-19’ sit on it. I then write ‘Covid-19’, using bits of other natural locks that are intertwined with certain equipment to make the word strong,” he said.
“Then I lift the word ‘Covid-19’, put it onto the stand. The dreadlocks on my head are like a house and the locks with words are like furniture.”
Since he was in the business, he would not reveal the secret around his creation. When he went to sleep at night, he said he took the words off his head.
His business, Odds and Odz Dreads Salon, has been closed during the lockdown.
“I have been out of business. It’s unfortunate that my girlfriend and my sister are also affected because they used to make a living by twisting people’s dreadlocks at my salon,” he said.
Cembi, who is also a poet, said his family approved of his Covid-19 hairstyles.
“Sometimes, before I leave the house, my girlfriend would say: ‘Honey wait: one letter of the word on your head is skew’. Then I would tie the word tightly.”
Ncumisa Bob, one of Cembi’s salon customers, said she loved his hairstyles.
“The first time I saw his art, I took pictures. There are competitors but his work is unique,” said Bob. – Repulished from Groundup