Celebrities who celebrate their natural hair

In light of the protest by girls from Pretoria Girls High, who have taken upon themselves to address the issue of having to wear an afro hairstyle to school.

1. Pearl Thusi

Actor and presenter Pearl Thusi is among the personalities who love every kink in their hair. This talented mother and now businesswoman has a natural hair care range that is proof that the fro can look stylish and professional at the same time.

2. Janelle Monáe

International pop singer Janelle Monae is an American musical recording artist, actress and model signed to her own imprint, Wondaland Arts Society, and Atlantic Records. Monae first broke into the industry with her hit song Tightrope (which is the current backing track to the Skip TV ad) back in 2010 and went as far as wining the Billboard’s Women in Music-Rising Star Award in 2013.

3. Luthando Shosha

SABC 1 TV presenter Luthando Shosha has made a name for herself as one of the edgiest girls in the streets of Jo’burg. Known as King Loot, the young presenter exudes the perfect blend of pop culture and sophistication.  Her Grace Jones-inspired haircut has made it harder to forget.

4. Nandi Ngoma

Singer and presenter Nandi Ngoma, now Nandi Madida, is South Africa’s most-loved daughter. Her haircut has become her trademark and has been the forefront of many trendy social media hair campaigns. Madida recently announced her pregnancy and marriage to long-time lover Zakes Bantwini and is one of the presenters of the brand new BET show A-List.

5. Lupita Nyong’o

Kenyan-born Oscar Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has achieved great success in a short space of time.  The actress made her acting debut with the short film East River and subsequently returned to Kenya to star in the television series Shuga in 2009. Nyong’o has revolutionised the image of all dark-skinned women by gracing the covers of major magazine covers such Elle, Forbes and Vogue.

6. Thandisa Mazwai

Thandisa Mazwai is a multi-award winning Afro-pop singer and songwriter who first broke into the industry as the lead singer of popular group Bongo Muffin back in the early 1990s. Mazwai has kept her hair natural throughout her career, transitioning from dreadlocks to a well-trimmed haircut.

7. Claire Mawisa

Claire Mawisa is a television presenter for Cart Blanche on MNet channel, model and radio personality. Mawisa debuted into the entertainment industry as SABC1 continuity presenter (1999-2001) is among the first black faces to have graced the covers of Cosmopolitan magazine.

8. Bonnie Mbuli

Author, Actress, and Co-host of SABC 3 Afternoon Express Bonnie Mbuli, is among the successful SA females to make natural hair look trendy.

9. Solange

Singer, actress and fashion icon Solange Knowles is a proud ambassador to the “sistas”, having graced many local and international magazine with a signature ‘fro and blowout kink curls. Solange has had to break away from the shadow of her sister, Beyoncé, by redefining individuality through fashion and pop music.

10. Blue Ivy

Daughter to multi-award winning pop queen, Beyonce Knowles and hip-hop mogul JayZ, Blue Ivy is proof that kink is good.  At age 4, young Miss Cater wears her afro hair do with pride and spunk.  Her feature in Beyonce’s formation music video justified the lyrics: “I like my baby heir with baby hair and afros” in the song. We can just wait and watch this princess grow and blossom.