Retired beauty therapist shares her skills
KwaThema – While other pensioners sit at home and enjoy their pension, a 66-year-old former beauty therapist is using her experience to better the lives of young people of KwaThema, equipping them with skills.
Queenie Thekiso says she worked in the beauty industry for over 30 years.
“Initially I wanted to become a nurse, but after falling pregnant this changed my plans.
“And since I had always been into beauty I decide to take it up as a career instead, so I studied to become a beauty therapist.
“I learnt how to do massages, facials, waxing, and make-up among other things and worked for various companies over this time,” she says.
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When Thekiso finally decided it was time to take her pension last year, she knew she still wanted to do more for her community.
She then opened a salon from her yard in Mopedi Street, where she is also helping to train young people to gain skills in the industry.
“The passion I have for beauty runs deep, hence if you want to do it, you need to be passionate about it as the job requires you to ensure that people feel and look good.
“At my salon I currently work with hair, make-up and nails, and will soon venture into facials and massages.
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“I want people to be able to experience what they would in the suburbs, in the township,” she says.
Thekiso says her dream is to see her salon being able to compete with the best in the business.
One of her employees, Tolerate Khoza (27) says she used to just plat hair before working at the new salon.
“One day I passed the salon, saw it was open and then came to ask for a job.
“It has been a great experience for me as I have learnt a lot during this time,” she says.
For more information contact Thekiso on 082 731 7813.
