KwaThema hair stylist wins R200 000 at the Dark and Lovely Golden Scissors competition in his 10th year of entering

KwaThema – Matitimane Sibuya, who has owned his hair salon since 2004, took the crown at this year’s Dark and Lovely Golden Scissors competition, winning R200 000 in cash and prizes.

“I grew up around hair because my father was a barber.

“Hair has always been my bread and butter but more than that, it is my passion,” he says.

Matitimane is not an overnight sensation and says he has been entering the competition since 2009.

“I never gave up because I know I can achieve anything I put my mind to.

“The Dark and Lovely products, which are perfect for afros and relaxed hair, made it easier,” he continues.

On fellow competitors, Sibuya says that everyone he was up against is talented.

ALSO READ:

Learner wins big from local grocery store

“There was a great display of talent at the competition and while I was confident in my work, anyone could have won,” he says.

All the stylists were given their own theme and Sibuya’s was “Jungle Queen”.

“When I thought about a jungle, I thought of flowers and trees.

“I thought of the animals too and the elephant was the one I went with because they can be found in many places,” he explains.

He says that this was against the advice of many people who told him to go with trees instead.

“It is important to understand your theme but it is also important to think outside the box and not do what is expected,” he says.

ALSO READ:

Grade Five learner wins R5 000 in stationery

To hopefuls who want to enter the competition, Sibuya says they must study at the Dark and Lovely Academy where they will learn how to work with different types of hair and different ways of cutting it.

“Before even going to the academy, you must be passionate about hair because without passion, you will end up giving up,” says the stylist.

With his winnings, Sibuya intends to brand his salon and help budding stylists.

“I would like to have an academy where I teach young stylists how to work with hair.

“Even if the academy does not happen, I would like to mentor young stylists and show them that people from townships can do great things,” he concludes.

Matitimane’s Hair Salon is at 174 Thema Road and he can be contacted on 073 218 9212.