Traffic in Cuyler Street came to a halt for the evening when Grahamstown bigwigs, fashionistas and local politicians gathered for the opening of Ubuhle Hair & Beauty Salon last Friday.
Traffic in Cuyler Street came to a halt for the evening when Grahamstown bigwigs, fashionistas and local politicians gathered for the opening of Ubuhle Hair & Beauty Salon last Friday.
Owner Siphokazi Mata entertained the likes of municipal spokesperson Mncedisi Boma and ANC Councillor Piryawaden Ranchhod at the glamorous affair.
Cuyler Street was closed off in front of the salon, and tables spilled out into the road.
Dressed in a splendid red floor-length gown, Mata told the crowd about her decision to come back to Grahamstown after being a student here.
"My vision is right here," she said. "I wanted to plow back into Grahamstown after it gave so much to me."
She only uses local staff and trains young Grahamstonians to work at the salon.
She reminisced about her first year at Rhodes and her disappointment at the lack of "good" ethnic hair salons in Grahamstown.
Ranchhod spoke fondly of Mata, wishing her well on behalf of the Mayor's office – even though she closed off the street without their permission.
When asked what made her salon different from others in Grahamstown, Mata pointed to the unique upmarket beauty products they use and sell at the store as well as her stylists' expertise.
But Mata has big dreams for Ubuhle.
To introduce an upcoming section of the salon called Ubuhle Man, she reworked an old Xhosa saying: "Ubuhle bendoda ziinkomo – They used to say the beauty of a man lies in his cattle, but not anymore: now it lies in his facial!" she quipped.
Mata is also planning to start Ubuhle Kids, for moms who want special haircare for their children.
"Kids often get neglected at salons," she explained, "but we'll take care of them and order them a meal while you run your errands."
She said Ubuhle (meaning 'beauty' in isiXhosa) was about inner beauty and confidence as much as it was about taking care of your physical appearance.
