Maria Mokoena fighting unemployment trough the beauty industry
Taking the beauty industry by storm.
South Africa is plagued with some of the highest unemployment rates and the government has encouraged the youth to start their own small to medium businesses to help themselves and boost the economy.
One such youth who has taken the advice to heart is Maria Mokoena who was born and bred in Phiri.
“ Growing up I was a shy and a quiet girl but always loved working with my hands and trying to braid first my hair,” says Mokoena .
Little did anyone least of all Mokoena herself knows that she was in the masterclass for what her calling as a beautician and hair guru would be as it is now.
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In her teenage years, Mokoena began to braid her peer’s hair with whom she attended high school at Sekano Ntwana.
It was then that local salon owners found out her talent and began to employ her after school and on weekends to braid clients hair before weaves can be sawn in. Mokoena knew that she wanted more and began to teach herself from watching the hairdressers cut, fit and saw in the weave, and as she once did as a young girl she practised the work on herself.
From that point on she was hired on a full-time basis as a hairdresser for the salon. Upon completion of her Grade 12 in 2006, she went on to study data capture at Boston City Campus hoping to find employment but the beauty industry had bigger plans for her.
2011 was the year Mokoena went on to obtain a level 6 certificate at Face to Face specialising in make up and at that point, Mokoena had several salon and private clients loyal to her. She went solo and rented space and hired three other hairdressers including one who speciality do dreadlocks.
“I love being an owner of a business but it comes with challenges and the most obvious is competing with local, cheaper salons, and wondering how I will be able to pay my employees,” said Mokoena.
Adding onto what Mokeona said is Bokang Lenka, an employee of Mokoena who met her through her sister-in-law, a client of Mokoena’s says she loves working alongside Mokoena.
“As Mokoena is a very hard working and passionate about hair and beauty, she has taught me a lot of skills that I use in both my personal and professional life,” said Lenka who also added that Mokoena acts more as a business partner and not a boss as she listens to everyone working at the salon from the issues they encounter while working to any advice or ideas they might have for the business.
A long-time client of the salon, Mmatshepo Mojelele can’t stop singing Mokoena’s praises and says she is a very talented hair technician with a great love for people.
In closing, Mokoena said that she hopes that more young black people will follow their passion, use their talents and start their businesses as it a rewarding experience and helps to employ other youths in her area.
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