Salons cut short under lockdown as owners and stylists suffer
The personal care industry, which includes gyms, has not earned an income since lockdown began.
Earlier this week it was reported that businesses, including sit-down restaurants, hair salons, massage and other personal care services can now open as part of a move to an ‘advanced level 3 lockdown‘.
The personal care industry, which includes gyms, has not earned an income since lockdown began. Many have called government’s decision to keep the industry closed ‘irrational’, given the devastating financial implications on these businesses and their staff.
Criminal law advocate Carlo Viljoen, acting in his private capacity, brought an urgent application before the Western Cape High Court, calling for the ban on the hairdressing and beauty salon industry to be scrapped. The DA’s court bid to overturn the ban on hairdressing has been postponed to June 22.
Lockdown forced Port Shepstone hairdresser Jolene Joubert to make one of the hardest decisions she had ever faced – shutting the doors of her business. She will not be reopening her salon in Oribi Plaza after lockdown.
Jolene started work at Salon She in Port Shepstone in 1993, fresh out of school, and eventually went on to buy the business in 2010.”My salon and clients have always been my first priority, and now I’ve lost everything I have worked my whole adult life to achieve,” she said.
Jolene decided to close up shop as she said it was impossible to afford the running costs which included rent, electricity, water, insurance, and security without having earned an income in months.
“Not only did I feel like I was making a difference in people’s lives, I was also providing for my two beautiful boys and my three pets.”
Jolene feels salons will never be the same. “Too many restrictions, at too huge a cost. I’m very concerned for all stylists and salons. I feel we have been victimised under the lockdown.”
Unlike Jolene, hairdresser Mark Kirsten is lucky enough to be able to return to his Woolley Street salon once lockdown is lifted.
Mark, who has owned the salon in Port Shepstone for 22 years, questioned how government expected hairstylists to make a living while they were not allowed to work. “Where do we get the money to pay rent, and water and electricity, never mind putting food on the table?” he asked.
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