Well-known couple says farewell
A couple, well-known and loved by fellow Carletonville residents for almost half a century, is leaving the town.
Mr Fietie Barnard, commonly known as “Oom Fietie”, and his wife, Pauline, are leaving the town for Bloemfontein at the end of the month.
They are moving to their son, AJ, who lives in the city.
While his wife was born in Carletonville, “Oom Fietie” arrived here from Welkom when he was in Standard 3 (now Grade 5).
Barnard is best known for being the longest-operating hairdresser and men’s barber in the town, a profession he says he stumbled upon by accident.
“I was unsure what to do with my life but told my father I wanted to walk around the world. My parents said a position was open at a hairdresser in town, and I should apply.
My friend and I rode there on our bicycles, and I told him to wait outside; I thought I would be back almost immediately. When I walked in and the barber, whom everyone knew as “Oom Paul”, heard that I wanted to apply, he immediately gave me a white “Brylcreem” jacket and said I must start there and then.
Little did I know that I would walk around the world with the many steps I would take around the barber’s chair,” he chuckles.
Throughout the years, Barnard did not only become a well-loved barber but an emotional soundboard and counsellor, almost like a psychiatrist to many of his clients. He also trained numerous other barbers who worked in town through the years.
“Many people come to the barber to relax and speak to someone about what is bothering them. I often gave them advice, like stopping drinking,” says Barnard, who has been operating the barber’s shop from his businesses selling angling equipment.
Barnard became so trusted by his clients that many even paid him as far as a year in advance. He has boards with lists of these clients on his wall.
Although they know he will repay the money for future cuts, few want it back.
Unfortunately, the town is not only losing the Barnard couple but also “Oom Fietie’s” skills and products as a barber and hairdresser, many of which are sometimes frowned upon by younger people in the trade.
He was one of the only hairdressers to still scorch split ends with candles and also used other techniques and products like Bay Rum that have been used for many decades.
