Entrepreneur takes charge of her own future
Ntsako Maluleke (28), is a woman determined to bring economic freedom to herself and her family by using her hairstyling talent.
LIMPOPO – Maluleke, a hairstylist and Xibelani (Xitsonga traditional skirt) seller from Siyandhani village in Giyani, became pregnant and had a baby in her final year of high school. As a result, she was not able to graduate. With the added responsiblity of raising a baby, Ntsako could not afford to redo Gr 12, so she set out to find a job instead.
Fortunately for Ntsako, she was passionate about doing hair and knew she could earn a living making others look and feel beautiful.
She learned to plait hair at a young age, practicing on her dolls and later doing hair for friends and family. As she got older, she became popular among her peers and people in her village as a talented stylist. “I got a job at a salon where the hours were long and the pay was little. I got paid R800 per month. Within a year I had gathered enough courage to quit my job and start my own business,” she explains.
Together with a friend, Vinoliah Mabasa, she found a place opposite the library, next to a medical centre and post office in Giyani and six years ago opened her salon.
She says the market has become quite competitive but she rises to the challenge. “I work hard seven days a week, even on public holidays.”
This has allowed her the satisfaction of not depending on anyone else to support her family.
She is proud of her achievements, but wishes she had the time to complete Gr 12. She hopes to one day study business so she can learn how to run her business better than any other salon in Giyani.
Ntsako also sells Xibelanis for a friend who cannot make it to town every day. “Women must stick together and help each other to achieve their goals in life. Women must also fight hard to be able to take care of themselves and their loved ones,” she advises.
