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04:48Last update on: 12 Aug 2013
The Namibian
Mon 12 Aug 2013
SMS Of The Day * MINISTRY of Gender and Child Welfare, TEARS are rolling down as I write this SMS. The killing of women in Namibia is now like reciting a poem. Are we really getting the protection we deserve while women not being treated as part of this c Food For Thought * SO the Zimbabwe elections were free and peaceful and not free and fair? Bouquets And Brickbats * NURSES at Katutura Hospital must stop wearing those big plastic sandals at work because they are not the official working shoes. We want to see you looking smart and beautiful with your full uniform. SMS Of The Day * THIS nation is in dire need of a massive conference on housing. When we experienced a crisis in the education sector a crisis-control brain-storming conference was organised which resulted in the best deal ever for the Namibian child, nam Food For Thought * BOURGEOISIE has become a daily occupation if not the order of the day of the upper-echelons, President Hifikepunye Pohamba we urge you to revisit this unpatriotic geocentricism among your staff and the well-connected, for everybody to r Bouquets And Brickbats * COMMISSIONER of Prisons, can you please explain the strategies you use to appoint officers to certain positions? It is my observation that you are being fed with wrong information then you just promote individuals without making p SMS Of The Day * I THINK Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda lost his belt because of this promoter and trainer. How can a world champion still be training at the Katutura Youth Complex where there is not enough equipment. I think they must follow the example of Ha Food For Thought * NAMIBIA Dairies are unable to match low prices of imported milk and this ultimately means the consumer will have to pay more for local milk. Look at the prices of the local chicken. All these profits are going in the pockets of a few in Bouquets And Brickbats * I AM pleased to hear that Cabinet has responded positively to the proposal of Namibia Dairies to support the industry. The restrictions which support the industry by reducing competition to ensure the survival of the industry is a SMS Of The Day * CEO’s golden handshakes. Somewhere on our statute books there must be a provision that if a board of directors suspends/dismisses a CEO without due regard to legal provision (substantive/procedural law) such board must carry the costs for Food For Thought * JACKY Asheeke was so right with her last column- why are the fathers of the dead children not being prosecuted? (Reference to the children who died in shack fires last week) Our justice system still protects men over women. In this cont Bouquets And Brickbats * ALEXACTUS Kaure, your column in Friday’s newspaper opened my eyes. One hardly finds impartial case study analysers in Namibia. Let’s not destroy the Polytechnic’s strong foundation (Tjivikua) as yet. At least wait until the transf
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BUSINESS - GENERAL
| 2013-08-09
Brazilian hair business flourishes in Namibia
Frida Hangula who works for a hair salon in Windhoek says, the store sometimes runs out of Brazilian hair. Brazilian hair costs about N$1200 to N$3500 per hair piece.
Photograph by Jordaania Andima
JOHANNA ABSALOM
BUSINESS is on the rise for Brazilian hair traders in Namibia, as more ladies seek virgin Brazilian hair to supplement their own hair, and attain a glorious look.
BUSINESS is on the rise for Brazilian hair traders in Namibia, as more ladies seek virgin Brazilian hair to supplement their own hair, and attain a glorious look.
Toini Tobias is one of the Brazilian hair-inspired entrepreneurs who live in Namibian capital Windhoek. She has been selling Brazilian hair since 2011.
“Brazilian hair business is not too bad,” Tobias said as she giggles to her statement.
The demand for Brazilian hair has steered up entrepreneurial spirit amongst many Namibians, maximizing on the Namibia’s stylish women’s yen for a universal hairdo.
“I was looking for ways to earn an income. I noticed that Brazilian hair was gaining popularity and many Namibian ladies were willing to spend on it. A friend introduced me to the trade. So I decided to give it a try,” she told Xinhua on Wednesday. She has not looked back since.
Tobias said she imports Brazilian hair through a friend who has direct links and network in the trade in Brazil. “Sometimes I order the hair online thorough a Brazilian hair trade agency in China, which they then courier to Namibia. It’s cheaper when you buy in bulk,” she shared.
According to Tobias, the start was not easy. “But after a while one builds a network of clients. You have to sell genuine virgin hair if you want to last in business and you build a good reputation in the trade,” she said, reasoning that satisfied clients or buyers usually refer friends to her.
A pack or bundle of Brazilian hair on average goes for N$2 000 to N$3 500, depending on the size or length.
Tobias is not alone in the trade. Tuyeni Iiyambo is another Brazilian hair trader who earns up to N$50 000 on a good month from her own sales.
Unlike Tobias who depends on market networks and business referrals, Iiyambo’s approach s more rigorous. “I have sales representatives in the country and profits from the regions are even more,” she said.
“Furthermore, to gain more clients, I offer incentives. I also encourage the sales representatives to promote the business on social network sites and local media,” she added.
Meanwhile, more people are benefiting from the Brazilian hair market. Direct Brazilian hair traders are not the only ones benefiting from the booming trade. The hairdressers are winning big too.
Sonia Shikende is a hair dresser based in Windhoek. She said that more ladies show up at her salon with Brazilian hair. Hair dressers have since developed innovative ways to plait and style with Brazilian hair as ladies hunt for a new look. “I had to upgrade my skills and master the art of hairdressing Brazilian hair,” she said. “We charge over N$350 or more, depending on how the client wants their hair done.”
But it’s not all glory and praises in the trade.
Many have warned prospective buyer to be careful when buying Brazilian hair. “They sell us fake Brazilian hair, which they market to us as original and virgin Brazilian hair,” said Niita Eino, a resident in Windhoek.
“Some salons also steal a bit from the packets. While some mix Brazilian hair with fake hair,” she added.
Nevertheless, as luck would have it for the traders, nothing is holding back the ladies from parting their hard-earned cash in exchange for Brazilian hair.
Magano Kalenga is a renowned Brazilian hair fanatic who prefers Brazilian hair over other extensions and weaves. She said she does not mind spending on the costly hair. According to Kalenga, Brazilian hair makes her look good and she loves looking good.
“Brazilian hair maybe costly, but once you invest in a pack you will not regret it. They last longer and they are re-usable. They are also easy to maintain and they rarely tangle and spread all over the place. You can use them all year long. All you do is retouch, add colour or throw it back,” said Kalenga.
–Nampa-Xinhua
“Brazilian hair business is not too bad,” Tobias said as she giggles to her statement.
The demand for Brazilian hair has steered up entrepreneurial spirit amongst many Namibians, maximizing on the Namibia’s stylish women’s yen for a universal hairdo.
“I was looking for ways to earn an income. I noticed that Brazilian hair was gaining popularity and many Namibian ladies were willing to spend on it. A friend introduced me to the trade. So I decided to give it a try,” she told Xinhua on Wednesday. She has not looked back since.
Tobias said she imports Brazilian hair through a friend who has direct links and network in the trade in Brazil. “Sometimes I order the hair online thorough a Brazilian hair trade agency in China, which they then courier to Namibia. It’s cheaper when you buy in bulk,” she shared.
According to Tobias, the start was not easy. “But after a while one builds a network of clients. You have to sell genuine virgin hair if you want to last in business and you build a good reputation in the trade,” she said, reasoning that satisfied clients or buyers usually refer friends to her.
A pack or bundle of Brazilian hair on average goes for N$2 000 to N$3 500, depending on the size or length.
Tobias is not alone in the trade. Tuyeni Iiyambo is another Brazilian hair trader who earns up to N$50 000 on a good month from her own sales.
Unlike Tobias who depends on market networks and business referrals, Iiyambo’s approach s more rigorous. “I have sales representatives in the country and profits from the regions are even more,” she said.
“Furthermore, to gain more clients, I offer incentives. I also encourage the sales representatives to promote the business on social network sites and local media,” she added.
Meanwhile, more people are benefiting from the Brazilian hair market. Direct Brazilian hair traders are not the only ones benefiting from the booming trade. The hairdressers are winning big too.
Sonia Shikende is a hair dresser based in Windhoek. She said that more ladies show up at her salon with Brazilian hair. Hair dressers have since developed innovative ways to plait and style with Brazilian hair as ladies hunt for a new look. “I had to upgrade my skills and master the art of hairdressing Brazilian hair,” she said. “We charge over N$350 or more, depending on how the client wants their hair done.”
But it’s not all glory and praises in the trade.
Many have warned prospective buyer to be careful when buying Brazilian hair. “They sell us fake Brazilian hair, which they market to us as original and virgin Brazilian hair,” said Niita Eino, a resident in Windhoek.
“Some salons also steal a bit from the packets. While some mix Brazilian hair with fake hair,” she added.
Nevertheless, as luck would have it for the traders, nothing is holding back the ladies from parting their hard-earned cash in exchange for Brazilian hair.
Magano Kalenga is a renowned Brazilian hair fanatic who prefers Brazilian hair over other extensions and weaves. She said she does not mind spending on the costly hair. According to Kalenga, Brazilian hair makes her look good and she loves looking good.
“Brazilian hair maybe costly, but once you invest in a pack you will not regret it. They last longer and they are re-usable. They are also easy to maintain and they rarely tangle and spread all over the place. You can use them all year long. All you do is retouch, add colour or throw it back,” said Kalenga.
–Nampa-Xinhua
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(August 12)
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