Bruce Ndlovu, Sunday Life Reporter
WHILE Nokuthula “Nocky” Peace might have left Zimbabwe to study journalism in Namibia, she has made her name in that country not in newsrooms but in hair salons, where she counts among her clients former Big Brother contestant Maria Napembe and one of that country’s most renowned broadcasters, MCs and TV hosts, Pombili Shilongo.
Starting from the humble beginnings of a to rent-a-chair set-up of a salon in Windhoek, Nocky’s stock has risen over time since she first moved to Namibia in 2010. Now she owns her own hair salon and her skills as a hairdresser have won her continental recognition, earning her a nomination in the Best hairstylist of the Year category at this year’s edition of the Zikomo African Music, Fashion, Fitness, Humanitarian Awards.
The holder of a Honours Degree in Media studies and English from the University of Namibia, Nocky is currently studying towards MBA in Management with the International University of Management. While her academic qualifications might point to a direction away from her hair salon, she told Sunday Life that hair had always been her passion.
“Doing hair has always been a passion and talent that l found myself interested in from the time I was in high school. So, l would find myself plaiting my friends, sisters, cousins and l would never let anyone rest at home as l would always want to do their hair,” she said.
While she has made her name in Namibia, she served a period of apprenticeship under various prominent hairstylists in Bulawayo.
“So professionally I started doing hair in 2009, where l was groomed on how to do professional braiding at Envogue hair salon in Byo by Sisi Rara and Sis Rachel. Then moved to Mandla’s Hair Salon where l was further guided on how to cut short weaves by Sis Zodwa. Later when l came to Namibia l was then able to rent a chair in a salon and even gained more knowledge from my Namibian sisters about how they did hair in this country. I would go to varsity and then after lessons go to my chair and plait,” she said.
While most expatriate students wait to be spoon-fed by parents, Nocky says her dissatisfaction with that led to her discovering her business instincts.
“Despite the fact that l was fully funded by my parents for my fees and rent, food and pocket money for school, my mom is the one who sent me to Namibia to study, l found myself wanting to work for myself and make money. So, from my first year at Uni l was already selling weaves and braids well as braiding people. and the rest is history, l now own a hair salon which one attracts The Who’s and whose of Namibia because of our excellent skills,” she said.