By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Qualified hairdressing artisans in Phuthaditjhaba say they are struggling to keep their businesses afloat as they compete with salons allegedly operated by undocumented foreign nationals without recognized qualifications.
Their concerns were raised on Tuesday, 30 June, during a peaceful march in Phuthaditjhaba organised under the Mabahambe movement, a campaign calling on government to strengthen action against undocumented immigrants.
The local demonstration proceeded peacefully as community members voiced their concerns over the impact they believe illegal immigration is having on businesses and employment.
Salon owner Moorosi Radebe (46), a qualified and QCTO-approved artisan, said years of training and professional development appear to count for little when unqualified operators are able to run businesses without consequence.
“Hairdressing is a profession. I trained to work with Afro hair, but many local people choose salons run by people who have no recognised qualifications. It feels like government and the municipality do not care about qualified South Africans.
We are expected to register our businesses and comply with regulations, yet illegal operators continue to trade freely. We want government to enforce the law and protect legitimate businesses,” said Radebe.
Qualified facilitator and salon owner Mosweunyana Tiki (40) echoed those concerns, saying he spends his time training young people to obtain recognised qualifications while those operating outside the system continue to compete in the same market.
“We want government and the municipality to work with us by checking whether salon owners have the required qualifications, permits and documentation. Those who are operating illegally should be dealt with according to the law,” he said.
Qualified hairdresser, assessor and moderator Mancini Khitsane (52), who owns her own salon, said artisans have invested heavily in improving their skills but receive little support.
“We trained, upgraded our skills and worked hard to become qualified artisans, but our businesses are suffering. Government is not assisting us while foreign nationals continue taking over the industry,” she said.
Khitsane, who obtained her Grade 12 certificate last year at the age of 51 before continuing to build her career, said qualified local artisans deserve greater recognition and protection.
