The lure and lore of the barbershop is the home away from home, equipped with personal groomer, therapist, confidant and friend.
One Discovery resident is adding humanitarian to that list as every cycled commute to his barbershop on the corner of Bickel Street and Mouton Road is an opportunity to make a difference. Abdul-Aziz Narkedien has been cutting hair for 13 years and for the last two of those has been using his skills not only as a tool of entrepreneurship, but one of empowerment.
When not assisting his clients with silky smooth trims and precise fades, Abdul-Aziz is on the lookout for homeless or disadvantaged men in need of a boost of self-esteem. “I think we take something as simple as a haircut for granted. I feel a haircut can change a life as it can turn depression into confidence and hope,” said the owner of High Cuts Barbershop.
The efforts of the grooming guru are not limited to those struggling to earn their daily bread, but Abdul-Aziz also offers free cuts to kids at children’s homes throughout Roodepoort. Hairstyles can be a mark of individuality, helping to better define the reflection in the mirror or develop a purposeful sense of self. “When I cut people’s hair they have a choice of how I style it so they can pick their own unique cut,” said Abdul-Aziz.
High Cuts Barbershop currently shares floor space with a tattoo parlour, vape juice store and pole fitness instructor, giving clients access to a variety of trendy alternatives at their fingertips. Next on Adbul-Aziz’s list is the procurement of a roaming barbershop, the design and layout of which he has already meticulously sketched. “I want to be mobile, I want to be able to take my services where they are needed. I don’t want to be restricted to a physical location,” he explained.
His weapon of choice is a wireless set of shears, sanitized after every use, that has a hand-crafted message colourfully etched into the handle. Dubbed ‘Servant of the Almighty’, it tells the story of how by working together with the right vision, we can build a better South Africa. “Use what you have to do what you can. If you look good, feel good, you do good,” he mused. This community of dreamers are manifesting a brighter world with their universal ambitions focused around individual inspirations.
