• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Lifestyle

Hairdressers go underground as lockdown drags on in South Africa

10 June 2020, 3:45 PM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Customers are attended to by roadside hairdressers, openly flouting lockdown regulations amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Johannesburg, South Africa, June 6, 2020. Picture taken June 6, 2020.

Customers are attended to by roadside hairdressers, openly flouting lockdown regulations amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Johannesburg, South Africa, June 6, 2020. Picture taken June 6, 2020.

Image: Reuters

Customers are attended to by roadside hairdressers, openly flouting lockdown regulations amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Johannesburg, South Africa, June 6, 2020. Picture taken June 6, 2020.

Hairdresser Beauty Matunhira arrives at her client’s home in Johannesburg armed with dye, relaxer and gel, ready to tackle her next case of lockdown hair.

Discreet house calls have become routine for Matunhira, who found herself out of a job when salons and barber shops were forced to close under South Africa’s coronavirus lockdown, now in its 11th week.

At times she is even forced to sneak into apartment buildings to avoid detection by security guards, but it’s either that or going hungry.

“It’s better because we’re managing to buy food,” Matunhira said as she applied black dye to her client’s faded blond hair.

Unable to pay her rent or send money to her parents back home in Zimbabwe, she is also worried about the future. Before lockdown she was saving up for her son’s university tuition.

“I don’t know if I’ll manage to budget for him to go to university next year.”

Matunhira is risking jail time by visiting clients at home, as hairdressers are still banned from working under the lockdown rules, even as the government has begun to relax restrictions to allow for a partial re-opening of the economy.

The lockdown restrictions are being challenged in court by barbers and beauty specialists who depend on an industry that consumer data firm Statista says is worth billions of rands in sales.

Mariska du Plessis, Northern Gauteng divisional manager at the Employers Organisation for Hairdressing, Cosmetology and Beauty (EOHCB), said an industry survey in April showed that around 70% of businesses were contemplating closures and job cuts, and up to 21% had already closed.

Last week the government told EOHCB it was drafting guidelines for the re-opening of the personal care sector but did not provide a time frame.

In the Johannesburg central business district, some hairdressers are operating on the roadside, offering to do clients’ box braids and dreadlocks.

They declined to be interviewed.

Other businesses are trying to survive through online retail, but this is proving tough.

Standing in her empty hair and beauty salon at Johannesburg’s Northgate shopping mall, Cola Mthembu said online retail sales only account for about 20-30% of her overall turnover, which is not enough to cover monthly expenses.

“(The lockdown) has been really detrimental for our business,” she said.

“We are not making any income … we are just left stranded.”

Share article
Tags: CoronavirusLockdownHairHairdressers
Previous Post

Man Utd cancel friendly after Stoke boss tests positive for COVID-19

Next Post

Sudan committee seizes Bashir’s bank account, closes FX bureaus

Related Posts

Children play video games at the library on the Cape Flats

Cape Flats video game initiative encourages children to read

1 February 2023, 8:26 PM
Singer George Michael (C) performs with Queen at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness, at Wembley Stadium, in London Britain April 20, 1992.

George Michael, Willie Nelson among Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees

1 February 2023, 4:25 PM
An Oscars statuette on display at a screening of the Oscars in Paris, France April 26, 2021.

Film academy ‘will not disqualify surprise Oscar nominee Riseborough’

1 February 2023, 11:20 AM
The Warner Bros logo is seen during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, France, June 22, 2022.

Warner Bros Discovery licenses movies and TV shows to Roku, Tubi

31 January 2023, 6:30 PM
The Garden Route Food Pantry is encouraging those who are able to sponsor these meals for those who cannot afford them.

Western Cape NGO develops new product ‘Food Sock’ to help end hunger

30 January 2023, 10:40 PM
FILE PHOTO: A Gucci sign is seen outside a shop in Paris, France, December 18, 2017.

Gucci’s challenge: reigniting heat while boosting timeless appeal

30 January 2023, 4:31 PM
Next Post
Omar al-Bashir was ousted from power in April 2019 by the military, following months of civilian protests against his 30-year rule.

Sudan committee seizes Bashir's bank account, closes FX bureaus

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • Gas leak shut, isolated in Pretoria North
  • King of Bacardi music ‘Vusi Ma R5’ killed in Soshanguve
  • Committee wants to halt planned demolition of North West hospital
  • Bapedi kingdom commemorates Kgosi Mampuru II, still hoping to find his remains
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • Premier denies claims that KZN government spent millions on Mampintsha’s funeral
  • At least 10 people killed in Bhityi area, Eastern Cape
  • UPDATE: Four dead in KwaMashu Hostel shooting
  • Manhunt for 20 suspects in KwaMashu shooting
  • LIVE: Jacob Zuma vs State Advocate Billy Downer, Karen Maughan
  • Tshwane hopes to restore water following protest

LATEST

[File Image] Tottenham Hotspur's Sergio Reguilon celebrates scoring.
  • Sport

SA Tourism clarifies proposed Tottenham sponsorship


[File Image] Police tape cordons a crime scene.
  • South Africa

Qunu families identify bodies following fatal shooting


[File Image] Former president Jacob Zuma sits in the dock after recess in his corruption trial in Pietermaritzburg.
  • Politics

Postponement of Zuma’s private prosecution matter was expected: Legal expert


[File Image] : Tazuni the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 official mascot, makes a first Australian appearance alongside junior players to celebrate the FIFA Volunteer Programme launch in Melbourne
  • Sport

Saudi Women’s World Cup sponsorship would be ‘disempowering’ for women


Court gavel and an old book seen on a table.
  • South Africa

Ramaphosa’s preferred candidate for SCA President


City of Ekurhuleni council venue.
  • Politics

Ekurhuleni Chief Whip resigns ahead of council meeting


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Man Utd cancel friendly after Stoke boss tests positive for COVID-19
Next Sudan committee seizes Bashir’s bank account, closes FX bureaus