Masangu styling his way to the Top 8

Soweto is doing it again with representing its talent on a national platform once again.

Tony Masangu has been revealed as one of the eight finalists that will take part in the Sofn’Free HairXperts Masters Challenge 2017.

Protea Glen based Masangu describes himself as a hardworking and a dedicated entrepreneur who has a great passion for his job.

He said, “I am a respectful soul, a loving and a valuing person. I am simply with a great desire for success and building an empire.”

Born in Mozambique in the city of Maputo, Masangu’s hair journey started in Mpumalanga with his in-laws. He was an assistant at the time and he explained how he gained experience at the salon.

“I learnt many different skills and there was a time when my brother was constantly away and I had to take over the salon and make sure everything was running smoothly,” he said.

“That’s when I started interacting with the customers and got to do the job by myself by applying my knowledge and skills. I couldn’t believe it because I had already fallen in love with it.

“It was scary at first but I knew I had to prove myself by doing what’s right at first and my first impression got me where I am.”

That was the defining moment in his career and it encouraged him to open his first salon in 2003 and called it T-looks.

The opening of his salon proved to be the most challenging part of his career because of having to raise the capital, buying the equipment and having to pay his assistants.

Now Masangu gets to strut his stuff on the HairXperts stage to show just how much talent he can offer.

“Being in the top eight finalists means a lot to me, I feel blessed and mostly honoured. I firstly registered as per required process and sent the required documents.

“After the paperwork, there was another process called preliminary and I won that stage competing with 10 contenders; that went on to the style offs, leading to the finals.”

The Sofn’free HairXperts Masters Challenge started in 2014 solely to discover extraordinary talent in the South African black hair industry.

In its third year running, the competition has a national panel of experts who selected only the finest hairstylists (according to their criteria) from across the country.

Categorising just eighteen contestants to endure seven weeks of intense challenges in the Style-Off phase that lead to this grand finale for the final top eight.

The top eight will be competing for the R250,000 prize from the sponsors of the challenge.

Masangu will be representing the province of Gauteng with Maggie Makhethi from Sharpeville and Doctor Sithole from Vosloorus.

To young up and coming hairstylists this is what he had to say; “Working with hair is creative art, expressions, and emotions; what I do is express my client’s feelings through the image of their hair and style.

“I’ve been in the hair industry for the last 14 years and I must bring this to light. It’s all about dedication, hard work, commitment and discipline.

Put more effort in your work and come up with fresh new ideas, that would capture eyes out in the community, let’s respect our artistic work and push to our fullest potential coming from humble beginnings shouldn’t prevent you from reaching the stars.”

The grand finale will be held at the Kyalami (Midrand) Theatre on the Track on Sunday, 16 July 2017.

The ceremony will be hosted by Somizi Mhlongo with entertainment from Kwesta and Amanda Black.

“When I win this competition, I am going to upgrade my salon and open a second one creating employment.

“The second salon would have an added feature where I get to train my next protégée,” said Masangu.

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