Oiling the hair business

MASERU – WHEN Ntšabeng Ntsane, a Form A student at Qholaqhoe High School in Butha Buthe, took interest in plaiting hair in 2012, little did she know these were the first steps to what would become her source of livelihood. Ntsane wanted to be a doctor, but she kept failing mathematics and getting low grades for biology and science, which made that dream far-fetched. In 2016, after writing her Form E exams she started taking the hair business seriously. “I have always loved money and was interested in going into business only as a second option though. I was already doing hair and making money catering for my girlish needs,” Ntsane said. When results came out in 2017 and she had not performed well, she didn’t feel like the end of the world. “I did not go back to school to supplement, I activated plan B and because I had been doing hair for years it was not difficult to open my own salon,” she said. “I already had loyal clients whose hair I had been doing through the years. However, I now had to tend to all their hair needs which is something that was new.” She listened when her customers talked about their frustrations about dry hair, dandruff, falling out hair and hair not growing. “I would then suggest product after product and as months passed some would still not give the desired results. It was honestly a pain to watch and to listen to all these stories,” Ntsane said. In 2019 Ntsane thought about how she could assist her clients. “I wanted to change the narrative, to make their hair experience better because I know just how much of a confidence booster good hair is.” She said that it broke her heart every time clients had to cut their hair after trying, without success, almost everything to keep it healthy. She then embarked on research and in 2020 started experiments that later resulted in NN Hair Growth oil. “Unfortunately Covid-19 hit us last year and this prolonged time for my experiments as I import most of the oils from South Africa.” Ntsane’s business, like many businesses across the world, took a hit. “Things got tough along the way but I pushed myself. I knew I had no one but myself to fund the project.” This year in April, Ntsane finally had her oil ready for the market. “I am still in shock. The feedback I am getting from consumers is amazing even though the journey is still in the beginning.” “What I want is for women to enjoy having hair, after all hair is already such a big issue for women.” NN oil keeps the scalp moist, a fundamental thing for healthy hair growth. It also helps keep hair strong, gets rid of itchy scalp and gives hair a nice glow. Today the product produced in Butha-Buthe can be found in districts like Leribe, Berea, and Maseru. “The plan is to have it available in every district. More than that, I want it to be consumed beyond Lesotho, in all of Africa.” The oil is only the beginning, she said, adding that NN is going to have a whole range of hair products like hair food, shampoos and conditioners. Lemohang Rakotsoane