Hairstylist Tshepo Lengane of King William’s Town has made the cut as a finalist in the national Sofn’free HairXperts Masters Challenge.
The event, now in its third year, is open to hairstylists from all walks of life, and aims to discover extraordinary talent within the industry.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, Lengane, 34, who is one of 14 finalists from across the country, said he fell in love with hairstyling in 1998.
“Growing up I thought I was going to be a kwaito star but my passion had another plan. My uncle had a salon and I would come back from school and just watch him for hours. It’s something I learnt and inherited from him,” he said.
“Cracking the industry was not easy in the late 1990s, “especially as a guy”.
“People did not trust easily. I remembered when I started working in King, I had to do people’s hair for free just to market myself. But word of mouth soon caught on and I was in business,” he said.
The competition is aired every Tuesday on SABC 1 at 9pm, where stylists are put through challenges to test their creativity and competence in creating edgy styles which involve analysing, treating and styling the full spectrum of hair – from natural to relaxed.
Based on the results of each challenge, one contestant will be eliminated, as the final 14 are whittled down to just seven.
On April 24, at the Lyric Theatre in Gold Reef City in Johannesburg, the last seven stylists will battle it out for the title.
Lengane said he entered the competition because he wanted a fresh challenge and a chance to introduce his name and work to the rest of the world.
“The prize (a Hyundai i20 1.25L Motion Manual and R120000) is not bad either, even though I don’t know what I would do with it yet.
“But honestly I wanted a new challenge and that is exactly what I am gaining, I’m really enjoying being exposed to new trends which is important in this business,” he said.
Lengane who studied at Softsheen-Carson Hair Academy is currently renting a mirror at Hollywood Salon in King William’s Town.
Lengane counts styling celebrities such as Sbongile Khumalo, Shado Twala, Moneoa, Brenda Ngxoli and Judith Sephuma as career highlights.
He said the pixie cut was his signature style and that he felt confident his cuts were the best in SA.
lViewers can vote for Lengane by SMSing Sofn’Free + G + Your name to 34683. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
EC hair stylist makes cut in TV show
The event, now in its third year, is open to hairstylists from all walks of life, and aims to discover extraordinary talent within the industry.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, Lengane, 34, who is one of 14 finalists from across the country, said he fell in love with hairstyling in 1998.
“Growing up I thought I was going to be a kwaito star but my passion had another plan. My uncle had a salon and I would come back from school and just watch him for hours. It’s something I learnt and inherited from him,” he said.
“Cracking the industry was not easy in the late 1990s, “especially as a guy”.
“People did not trust easily. I remembered when I started working in King, I had to do people’s hair for free just to market myself. But word of mouth soon caught on and I was in business,” he said.
The competition is aired every Tuesday on SABC 1 at 9pm, where stylists are put through challenges to test their creativity and competence in creating edgy styles which involve analysing, treating and styling the full spectrum of hair – from natural to relaxed.
Based on the results of each challenge, one contestant will be eliminated, as the final 14 are whittled down to just seven.
On April 24, at the Lyric Theatre in Gold Reef City in Johannesburg, the last seven stylists will battle it out for the title.
Lengane said he entered the competition because he wanted a fresh challenge and a chance to introduce his name and work to the rest of the world.
“The prize (a Hyundai i20 1.25L Motion Manual and R120000) is not bad either, even though I don’t know what I would do with it yet.
“But honestly I wanted a new challenge and that is exactly what I am gaining, I’m really enjoying being exposed to new trends which is important in this business,” he said.
Lengane who studied at Softsheen-Carson Hair Academy is currently renting a mirror at Hollywood Salon in King William’s Town.
Lengane counts styling celebrities such as Sbongile Khumalo, Shado Twala, Moneoa, Brenda Ngxoli and Judith Sephuma as career highlights.
He said the pixie cut was his signature style and that he felt confident his cuts were the best in SA.
lViewers can vote for Lengane by SMSing Sofn’Free + G + Your name to 34683. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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