‘Natural Hair is Professional, Not a Negative Phenomenon!’ – Sofia Saungweme

Hair is a crucial part of every women’s appearance. In African women hair is as significant as the queen’s crown and can be worn with pride. It can also enhance self image and esteem. However, only a few women are confident in wearing Afro Hair or plaiting natural hair and be seen in public because it is deemed ‘unprofessional and untidy’. Many have resorted to using chemicals, wigs and extensions to cover up the natural hair risking getting chemical burns, hair loss or thinning their hair roots.

Hair stylist Sofia Saungweme takes pride in only doing natural hair styles and helping other women to embrace the beauty in carrying it over their heads. She took us through her life changing journey.

BK: What made you focus on just doing natural hair styles? 

SS:I didn’t choose the natural hair lifestyle, it chose me. In my late teens and early twenties, I suffered from severe chemical burns on my scalp due to relaxers.

My scalp became painfully sensitive, especially during braiding, which my hairdresser friends initially dismissed. However, the pain would intensify days later. With my thick hair, I couldn’t afford to redo styles frequently.

I decided to cut off my relaxed hair and stopped using chemicals altogether. I tried dreadlocks but still faced issues with painful braiding. Turning to Facebook and Google, I researched alternatives. Unable to complete my degree due to financial constraints, I started exploring hairdressing as a solution.

From 2015 to 2018, I found myself dissatisfied with relaxers and tight styles for my clients, leading me to drop some of them. Despite starting with house calls and charging as little as $2, I prioritized quality over quantity.

I began realizing Bulawayo lacked a natural hair salon, I decided to establish the city’s first. At the time, I had no idea how to achieve this or what it entailed. This decision marked a turning point in my career, driven by the desire to provide a solution for myself and others facing similar challenges with chemical treatments and painful styling methods. Starting from scratch, I navigated the process of setting up a salon, learning as I went along and overcoming numerous obstacles.

Today, my salon not only serves as a place for hair care but also as a community hub where clients feel empowered to embrace and celebrate their natural hair.

 BK: How has the journey been so far? 

SS: Long, the journey has been long and challenging, but it has been the most fruitful journey I have ever participated in my whole life. I would do it all over again if I could.

My journey has not only involved providing a service to Bulawayo; it has also been about educating people around me and learning and applying what works in other parts of the world to my local environment.

It has been a journey of growth—from a clueless university dropout who worked out of desperation for any available job to becoming a trained Natural Hair stylist and salon owner, Certified Lock Practitioner, and currently a Hair Loss Practitioner student.

My favorite part of this journey is the experiences that come with it. Meeting people from different backgrounds, traveling to new countries to style hair, and experiencing the joy those people feel as they see their hair growing beautifully and healthy.

BK: What changes have you brought into your line of business? 

SS: The biggest change we have brought as the Sofia Hair Care brand is simply this: ‘Natural hair is a luxury style. Natural hair is professional, and natural hair is not a negative phenomenon that needs to be straightened and controlled.’

We have also introduced a new perspective that hairdressing is not a dead-end job. It’s not something you turn to when other ventures fail; it is a respectable profession.

Lastly, we emphasize the concept that the health of your hair is far more important than following trendy hairstyles.

Stylist Sofia donning her natural hair style

BK: What are some of the challenges that you have been facing? 

SS: Oh, I’ve faced a lot of challenges, but one of the funniest for me is that I’m very short and tiny, and I look younger than my age. So, people often mistake me for just a little kid who doesn’t know what they’re doing. I’ve had to constantly prove myself to be taken seriously, both as a person and as a hair stylist.

Another notable challenge is that natural hair as a business is still a unique concept in Bulawayo. When introducing something new, I always have to think outside the box to make an impact. In the early stages, I attended every event I could find, using my hair as a marketing tool. I dressed in afro-centric styles and joined every social media platform to grab attention. Even though I knew sales might not immediately follow, getting someone’s attention was a win. I also conducted natural hair master classes and meet-ups to spark conversations about natural hair. Essentially, I’ve had to sell the idea to Bulawayo and convince people to embrace it.

This constant challenge has kept me on my toes, and I love that.

Being one of the pioneers of natural hair businesses in Bulawayo has been an incredible journey for me personally and for Sofia Hair Care. Our ongoing mission at Sofia Hair Care is to seek strategic investments to scale our operations, drive innovation, meet the growing demand, and enhance our customer experience.

BK: It was nice talking to you, and here at The Southern Live, we wish you all the best!

SS: Thank you so much!

Next time you’re in Bulawayo and in need of the perfect natural hairdo, Saungweme is your go-to! Don’t miss out on embracing your natural beauty with Bulawayo’s haircare maven.