26 Apr 2018

Her radiant smile is her signature welcome to her clients.

There is absolutely no doubt that Ms Alice Moagi is fond of what she does; styling people’s hair. Ms Moagi said she learnt her trade from watching her aunt plait people in 2013.

She then practiced plaiting on her nieces after which she decided to take it as a full time job and applied for the Poverty Eradication programme for assistance. “I am very thankful for government as I am where I am today because of the Poverty Eradication programme,” she said.

Ms Moagi explained that through the programme, she was sent to Ramatea Vocational School where she learnt how to crotchet, retouch hair and to treat it.

Through her strong will to learn, she was able to complete the course within three weeks and the programme aided her with equipment, which she needed to start her own hairdressing salon.

Ms Moagi said her lecturers always complimented her on her tight stitch, which made her plaiting last longer. Moagi scooped a P6 000 position three award countrywide in 2017 at the President’s day competitions where she showed her creativity braiding using plastic differing from all other hairstylists competing against her.

“I made strings from black plastics bags and plaited twist on my model’s hair. The stitch came out beautifully. After that I tied the hair to look like a woman carrying firewood on her head,” she said.

She said when they were given the task to do something creative she knew then that she had to think out of the box in order to outshine other competitors.

Even though she was still waiting to be assisted with space to open a salon, this has not been a hindrance for her to make enough to provide for her family as she had resorted to doing business at her house.

Ms Moagi emphasised that understanding her client’s personalities and lifestyles had helped to create the best look for each individual and thus they were always satisfied.

In order to reach out to more potential clients, Moagi said she posts her work on social media and makes pamphlets monthly that she distributes around Ramotswa. Moreover, it is the special relationship that Ms Moagi has built with her loyal customers by doing their hair even when they do not have money to pay her immediately.

She said her goal is to work internationally styling pageant queens from all over the world giving them glamorous looks.

She encouraged the public to make use of all government aid programmes as they can make one’s dream come true. Ends