Trailblazing success in the brutally competitive African hair and beauty industry
MPHO RANTAO IF there is a competitive industry that thrives, it is the hair and beauty industry, and in South Africa that competition can be brutal. The journey of growing, styling and maintaining one’s natural hair is one of trial-and-error, pain, understanding and love, especially for black women. Their hair varies in textures that rely on vitamins, natural oils and hair routines that aim to retain moisture, grow hair and keep it healthy. Despite being a country with a majority black population, South Africa’s list of high-end hair salons owned by black people are less than five percent, as black…