By Thelma Wandayi
As the sun peeks over the horizon, amongst the chaos and commotion, nestled in the midst of Gweru’s vibrant streets, a petite woman moves gracefully, with a glimmer of hope in her eyes, her nimble fingers gliding with determination etched on her weary face with purpose, her hands have become a powerful source of survival for her family in the face of Zimbabwe’s ailing economy.
Meet Caroline Ndlovu, whose hands move swiftly and skillfully, transforming bundles of hair into stunning pieces of art, her colorful wigs fall in beautifully, from sophisticated, to bold, tousled curls, sleek straight strands and intricately braided masterpieces that draw a magnetic touch of beauty attracting passersby with their undeniable allure.
Amid the cacophony of sounds, Ndlovu, a mother of two, has been sewing and selling wigs for the last two years on the streets of Gweru as a means to support her family
With her husband toiling as an artisanal miner, hoping to strike gold in the depths of the earth, struggles to eke out a living and support their family, as the income from mining is unstable and with her irregular pay, Ndlovu had to find a way to alleviate their financial burdens
Residing in one of Gweru’s high-density suburbs of Mkoba, the responsibility of paying rent, school fees and general household expenses set off the 33-year-old mother of two’s humble roots as a synthetic hair hoarder spinning the synthetic fibre into wigs.
Leaving her meager job, where the small income she received was barely enough to sustain her family, was a leap of faith that she took with heavy trepidation.
Yet, it was the tales of triumphant women who sold their handmade wigs and provided for their families that inspired her, and they became the invisible backbone that propelled her forward.
“I was employed in a salon as a hairdresser but we were not consistently paid.My husband is an informal miner and his income is not stable enough to sustain the family. I was inspired by other women who had made a success of selling wigs, they encouraged me to try a hand in making and selling wigs too,” said Ndlovu
Drawing strength from her indomitable predecessors, Ndlovu ventured into the trade, hoarding various synthetic fibers using her skill of a master weaver to create wigs of all styles.
Her armed stash of synthetic fibers that form the foundation of her creations are sourced meticulously from a nearby hair mart, with a careful eye, she selects the best materials, ensuring that each thread represents both quality and affordability.
Now, Ndlovu stands proudly among the roadside wig gurus, she manages to create up to six exquisite wigs each day and astonishingly, she effortlessly sells half of her creations by the close of business.
On a good day, Ndlovu can make over USD$60 by selling her wigs for just USD$10 with each wig sold, her heart swells with pride, knowing that she has made one more step towards lifting her family out of the depths of poverty
To catch the attention of swaying passersby, Ndlovu’s voice fills the air as she enthusiastically calls out to potential customers, her gold-decorated cloth laying on the ground, displaying the heads of her dolls donning the stylishcrafted wigs
The kaleidoscopesymphony ofcolors cascading from sleek straight cuts to luscious curls exude confidence enticing for a closer look of her innovative styles to those in search of something extraordinary, something as transformative as a crown atop their heads.
It is this harmonious balance that attracts her customers, who are young girls wanting to experiment with their appearance to older women seeking a boost of confidence and women on a budget, to her everyone is a potential customer.
The alleyway nearby acts as a makeshift fitting room, where clients try on the wigs in front of the gleaming reflection of a neighboring glass shop. Sometimes, Ndlovu, uses her small pocket mirror to display how their newfound beauty truly radiates.
Filled with the laughter and chatter of women seeking a new look or a boost of confidence, in these moments, watching her customers bask in delight as they look at themselves, beauty is reimagined.
Captivated by Ndlovu’s, bright smile and warmth, eager to obtain a trendy wig, customers often find themselves negotiating for a small discount, her kind heart understands the struggles and hardships they too face.
With a twinkle in her eye, Ndlovu’s shares, “I sell them for $10 each, the price is always negotiable.” She deftly sews together hair extensions onto a wig cap. Pausing momentarily to brush the hair and ensure its silky smoothness, Ndlovu explains, “Sometimes, depending on the customer’s needs and sales of the day I can even go lower than $10.”
The local wig artisan says these handmade wigs are not only affordable, but offer a unique advantage to customize and tailor them to one’s desired style.
“These wigs offer the freedom to specify the exact style you want and have it crafted to perfection. Wigs have become a cheap alternative for women who want to look goodwithout having to break bank”, she explains.
However, like any tale of struggle and triumph, Ndlovu faces daily challenges with a hurdle that looms, ominously, the relentless pursuit of peacekeepers clad in bluecasting a dark cloud over her dreams for the day.
Running with the police has become an unwelcome but constant companion for Ndlovu.
The police often harass her for selling on the streets but she cannot stop because it is her only source of income.
The risk of arrest and fines seems inescapable, as she fights for a choice that is wholly hers, the choice to create, to provide, and to persevere.
She continues to fight for her small corner of the street, her eyes, shimmering of unwavering determination coursing through her veins, fueling her dreams of expanding her business and someday owning a wig shop.
Ndlovu’s face lights up with a mix of defiance and determination as she recounts her encounters with the authorities
“Sometimes they come and confiscate my wigs, claiming I am operating illegally,” Ndlovu explains, her voice filled with resilience.“This is my livelihood, my way of supporting my family. I am not a criminal; I am just trying to make an honest living.”
Despite the adversity she facesNdlovu ‘s spirit remains unbroken, recognizing her fortitude, her customers rally behind her, offering words of encouragement and support.
It makes her dream of expanding her business to own her wig shop seem far off, but Ndlovu refuses to let her spirit be dampened “I just want to be able to provide for my family,” she says, “I would love nothing more than to see my business grow and prosper.”
As the sun sets over the streets of Gweru, casting its golden glow, where creativity and entrepreneurship thrive, the air dances, adorned, whispering “wig” stories of resilience and ingenuity.
Ndlovu, gathers and folds her remaining wigs, her hands threadbare, once again weathered by the demands of her craft, continues to weave threads of hope into every strand of synthetic fiber she touches with a tapestry in relentless pursuit of a better life.
These wigs have become more than just a fashion statement for both the wearers and the creators. For the women of Gweru, these affordable wigs offer a chance to express themselves, experiment with different looks, and boost their confidence. Meanwhile, for artisans like Ndlovu, wig making has opened up a world of opportunity, providing a steady income and a path towards financial independence.