Tatekulu’s Barbershop … A Gentleman’s Haven

I think I might be in love. Being a man isn’t easy. Societal pressures to uphold a certain standard of masculinity can get tiring and sometimes you just want to and need to unwind.

But what to do? Where to go?

Ladies can go for manicures and pedicures with the girls and guys usually do the football and beer thing. Well, not any more.

A little place down on Independence Avenue called Tatekulu’s Barbershop will have you feeling relaxed in no time with their services.

A ‘no-ladies’ establishment, the retro barbershop is the perfect gentleman’s haven. With the fresh Slowtown Coffee Roasters’ aroma in the air, Tatekulu’s welcomes you with soulful jazz tunes and friendly staff to round off the calming ambience.

As I take my seat, Oscar Mbala, my barber, entertains me with his cheerful chatter while he prepares me for my shave. An airy robe to keep stray hairs at bay is draped around my neck as I relax backwards and a very professional Mbala shares with me the ins and outs of a hot towel shave. My first one.

Mbala, although only being a professional barber for a year, has been in the trade since the dawn of his teenage years. The 32-year-old craftsman mentioned that he started doing his father’s hair as a 13-year-old and later on, his brothers and school friends were lining up for his services. Mbala then went on to train his younger brother to do hair and the two are now colleagues at Tatekulu’s.

Mbala said that there are lot of differences which sets this joint apart from others like it.

“Well, the number one difference is our service. Secondly, we have the hygiene. We try to maintain a clean environment,” he said. “There’s no other barbershop like this in the country,” Mbala added.

Another point Mbala made was there are no ladies allowed, not for the sake of sexism, but to give men the freedom fully relax, be themselves and to talk about topics they wouldn’t have otherwise. “It’s a chance for gentleman to come in, be themselves and enjoy the atmosphere.”

The hot foam-brush to my face softens my skin, before Mbala wraps a hot towel around my face and begins a massage which almost sends me into a deep slumber. He says that this is to make the shave smoother and cleaner as the heat opens the pores so that the skin won’t be so tight.

He then proceeds with a sharp blade and the utmost precision to ensure a close shave – which leaves me with skin smoother than a baby’s bum. But he’s not done yet. With a cold, damp towel this time, Mbala reworks his previous massage routine. This is to close all the pores and prevent dirt from getting under the skin, which prevents infections.

In under an hour, Mbala leaves me feeling and looking like my 18-year-old self once again.

It’s no wonder he is happy in his job. “For me it is like artwork. It is a chance for me to be artistic with people’s hair.”

Tatekulu’s Barbershop is giving away four cuts and shaves to the value of N$250 each. To stand a chance to win, send the word CUT to 45045. SMSes are charged at N$3 each. The competition closes on Friday, 8 September.

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