Harnessing the art of hairdressing

He wakes up at as early as 3am to style brides in various locations in Blantyre. Other brides outside Blantyre come on Friday or Saturday to have their hair done in anticipation for their wedding day.

This is because of the impression 37-year-old Hamza Solomon has had on his clientele, thanks to his outstanding hair styles which have captivated many.

Hamza, who has lived in Zimbabwe for close to 10 years, claims it is in that country where he learnt the art and started to appreciate the importance of hair care.

“I used to help our neighbour who owned a saloon. I did some minor hair care in her saloon but over time, I developed interest in hair care and went for training at Bulawayo Polytechnic where I was equipped with the skills and knowledge in hair care,” he explains.

After years of hard work and practice, he decided to come back to Malawi and started working in a saloon as he could not manage to establish his own due other circumstances.

But today Hamza is the proud owner of Hamza Creative Saloon at Ginnery Corner in Blantyre which specialises not only in wedding hair styles, but also in the provision of various hair styles which include, braiding, styling dread locks, weaving and tongs.

The saloon also offers other beauty services provided by his wife Judith which include pedicure, manicure, bridal make-up, waxing and massage.

“I have strived and worked hard to be what I am.  I used to walk on foot from Nancholi to the central business district in Blantyre and other locations in the city in search of customers. If it were not for my hard work and determination, I would not have been where I am today because it was not easy,” he says.

The hairdresser, who has over 22 years experience in the hair dressing, cherishes the moment he was given the chance to style former First Lady Callista Mutharika on her wedding day and several occasions, as one the greatest achievements he has made in his career as a hair dresser.

“I was honoured to be invited by the former first lady herself who knew about me through a relative of hers who used to come and do her hair at my saloon. I was then requested to style her on her wedding day and on other events,” he says.

Hamza says he will also live to remember the time he got recognition from a South African fashion magazine, Edgars as Africa’s first outstanding male hair dresser.

“Such moments have been motivating and encouraging in my career and taught me that anyone can do anything regardless of sex. It is also for this reason that I have trained other people to take hairdressing seriously,” he said.

Hamza, who also owns a number of assets and is a shareholder of a newly-introduced porridge making company, Jossam Food Products, which produces instant porridge, says the saloon, yields good income for him.

“I have also managed to set my own car spare parts selling company which is in its final stages and will roll out soon,” he says.