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Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
YOUTHS in Bulawayo are being empowered through a Cosmetology Hub in the city centre that gives them a springboard to establish themselves in business.
The hub was set up in 2016 and was launched in 2019 so that youths have workspace after graduating from vocational training colleges and utilise their skills, on a rent-a-chair model.
Run by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, the Cosmetology Hub is situated on the first floor of the CIPF Building along Jason Moyo Street, between 9th and 10th avenues. At the premises, there is The Nail Hub and The A-Team Hair Salon.
The Hub was also set up to create a conducive environment for youth participation in the mainstream economy for inclusive growth.
There, more than 30 youths offering various services such as hairdressing, barbing, manicure and pedicure and massaging work diligently for clients.
One of them, Miss Patience Ndlovu (30), who runs The Nail Studio, started off as a nail tech in 2016 and now employs two people fulltime and offers massages.
A graduate of Oasis of Beauty in Bulawayo, Miss Ndlovu said the Cosmetology Hub was a perfect platform for budding entrepreneurs such as herself.
“I have been at the hub since 2016, renting a chair in the salon. When I got the opportunity and I heard that there wasn’t a person at my present premises, I decided to take up the offer and rent the massage hub,” said Miss Ndlovu.
She said she has been working hard to establish her name since she was 24.
“It’s quite a nice journey, though a bit challenging because everyone now is studying beauty therapy. But the advantage about everything is that when you are passionate about what you are doing, and when you love what you are doing, your work advertises for you,” said Miss Ndlovu.
Growing up in Bulawayo’s Nketa 7 suburb, Miss Ndlovu learnt at Moray Primary School and Maranatha Adventist School.
Miss Ndlovu said in 2019, she applied for a R5 000 loan from Empower Bank, through the hub, to upgrade her equipment.
“I used the money to buy a wax pot, manicure chairs, wax products, massage oils and nail products. I managed to repay the money within a year after I started using the products,” said Miss Ndlovu.
She said she has two employees and interns and plans to expand her business soon.
At the A Team Hair Salon, Miss Analisa Mpofu (26), said she learnt hairdressing at Sizinda Vocational Training Centre and started working at the hub in 2020.
“I was attached at the Hub and then after graduation, I started renting a chair here. I learnt a lot in cosmetology, but I decided to be specific in hair instead of nails. Working here is great, as you know that you can work hard and can do something in life,” said Miss Mpofu.
The hairdresser, who is originally from Mberengwa said she learnt at Zungu Primary School and Masvingo Christian College. She said she has set up a side business to increase her revenue streams.
“I started a business where I buy and sell hair products such as braids, hair food and the like. So, this has given me more options as a person, through working here,” said Miss Mpofu.
Mrs Sifiso Takavarasha, Principal of Sizinda Vocational Training Centre under the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation said some youths at the hub accessed finance to expand their businesses.
“There is a facility for the youth where they can access finance through Empower Bank. If someone feels like expanding their business and they do not have enough money, they are free to apply for a loan and we have individuals who have benefitted,” said Mrs Takavarasha.
“Patience who is running the massaging parlour, said she benefitted when she wanted to expand her business. Empower Bank is open to every youth, but because they are in the hub, they have access to more information because they are working closely with the ministry,” said Mrs Takavarasha.
“The Cosmetology Hub in Bulawayo was established to specifically assist the youths so that they have places where they can establish their own businesses. This is a place where the youths offer services like hairdressing, manicure, pedicure, massaging and barbing.”
She said the hub accommodates youth who were trained at vocational training institutions, or private institutions.
“It’s a combination of males and females with the majority being female. It’s open to all youths. There is a manager at the hub and a receptionist, who they can approach and be told the conditions for one to occupy space there,” said Mrs Takavarasha.
She said youths are considered to be those who are below 36 years old but the ministry was not strict on the maximum age.
“Say for example there is a person there who has turned 35 we don’t drive them away. They can continue working there. We need people who have a background in the area they want to specialise in at the hub. We don’t want situations where we have people who don’t do well because they can destroy our reputation,” said Mrs Takavarasha.
She said the only monies that youths will fork out are for rentals which, according to her, are at a minimum.
“Where we are operating from, we are renting so we need the youths to contribute some rent of some sort, which is minimal if you look at what is being charged by other salons. Someone comes to rent a chair, and then they pay something like US$30 per month. Whatever they make belongs to them,” said Mrs Takavarasha.
She said through Government, plans are underway to further furnish the hub with new equipment such as hair dryers, chairs and tables. – @bonganinkunzi
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