The ethnic hair Industry still without regulation
The black hair industry is estimated to be valued at R9.7 billion a year, and is considered one of the biggest in the continent.
The South African Ethnic Salons Association (SAESA) is urging the beauty and salon industry in the black hair market to take strides towards creating a regulated sector.
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The black hair industry is estimated to be valued at R9.7 billion a year, and is considered one of the biggest in the continent.
The same figures are seen with the ethnic (Afro) salons which are estimated to be around 34 000 and above but the industry still remains largely unregulated.
This was pointed out by SAESA founder Kgotso Mafora, who is a hair professional, who explains that the SA hair industry in particular the ethnic hair salons which remains unregulated and unstructured has made it difficult for it to be recognised as a respected craft.
“There are a lot of informalities happening and the requirements needed to run these establishments are often not adhered to.
“By law, everyone operating these salons should have a license to trade their profession but no one is doing that especially in the black salons, compared to your Caucasian counterparts in the same industry.
“What we see instead is anyone anywhere opening a salon,” he said.
Mafora who has been in the industry for over 27 years says the organisation will provide structure and support to existing ethnic hair salons that are operating informally.
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He says SAESA will further seek to address long standing issues that have plunged the industry. In addition to this, he raised a concern on the high levels of non-compliance to occupational health and safety standards by the majority of the establishments.
A 2015 study found that management qualifications among salon owners and manager was lacking. The study revealed that technical skills were found to be prioritised over actual management of the business or business growth.
“There is no standard rules or regulations that will ensure professionalism and adherence and a great concern is that, most of these salons works with chemicals like calcium, sodium without proper know how or skills, while some will purchase cheap products to cut costs and make profit. Those are things we are looking to address through the association,” He explained.
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Some of the ambitious plans Mafora outlined included improving the overall image of their salons and how they operate. This will include the formaliaation of these informal businesses into businesses that are on the system.
According to Marofa, this will make it easier to monitor and reduce salons from mushrooming in backyards and along the streets.
“What we want is that if there are several class b salons in one street/area we place a nearby container with working stations, and proper running facilities, and place them in there.
“That container will be like a one stop shop with people offering services.
“We want to introduce things like retirement funds, funeral covers and assisting them with medical aids.
“But importantly to assist them in making sure that they are qualified practitioners, and into programmes that will train them and give them licenses to trade,” emphasised Mafora.
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