Mandela Day makeovers for street people at Haven Night Shelter“

We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” Nelson Mandela

Over the past couple of months, times have been tough for the haircare industry – but a team of eight from premium South African Haircare Company, Afro Sundae, celebrated Mandela Day (Friday) by treating 30 homeless people at Cape Town’s The Haven Night Shelter to a luxurious hair treatment!

Sane Igboanugo, founder of Afro Sundae, said that her team of eight donned masks, face guards and gloves and headed out to help others feel special.

With a Covid 19 protection leader calling the shots, they set up their wash basins and equipment, took temperatures, sanitised hands and ensured that all social distancing requirements were strictly adhered to before embarking on one of the more unusual projects for Mandela Day 2020. “We know that many of us have really missed our visits to the hairdresser during lockdown. But the people at the shelter have not been privileged to take care of their hair for an even longer time. In fact, with the global Covid-19 pandemic, hair care is definitely not a priority – especially when you have food and shelter to worry about! Some of the guests at the shelter had not had an opportunity to care for their hair for over five years and we wanted to change that. We hope that this day brought a smile to their faces and instilled a new sense of confidence,” she said.

Between 10am and 4pm, the Afro Sundae team provided a full wash and head massage, hair condition treatment and hairstyling for each of their customers at the shelter.

The products used – a Black Soap Shampoo, a Leave-In Conditioner, a Hair Repair Moisturizing Lotion, an Anti-Breakage Nourishing Conditioner and a Hair Growth Hydrating Oil Serum – also delivered another important message. We all need to support economic recovery by using locally produced products.

Sanelisiwe Igboanugo launched Afro Sundae in 2019 and has encouraged South Africans to nurture their beautiful hair by using 100% organic hair products that are free of chemicals like sodium, lauryl sulphate, parabens and chlorine that are found in nearly all conventional conditioners and shampoos. Afro Sundae natural hair products are made with safe, gentle plant-based ingredients such as aloe vera, avocado, shea butter, jojoba and coconut extracts which help to improve the health of your hair and scalp and are also 100% environmentally friendly.

Igboanugo said that this had been an unforgettable celebration for this young company. “This is the first time we have done something like this. We are proud that, this Mandela Day, we could make a difference in someone's life. Hair plays a major role in self-confidence, self- acceptance and self-love and, like Madiba, we wanted to emphasise that all of our people are beautiful. We will definitely be doing this again. We want to show people the importance of hair care but, most importantly, we want to show our guests at The Haven Night Shelter that we do love them, that they are beautiful and that they are worthy.

”The last “hair lifting” words must come from the Haven Night Shelter ladies that received the pampering: “I am so grateful”, “Thank you for making me feel awesome”, “My hair smells like a mixture of granadilla, mango and coconut and I love it!”

Afro Sundae’s products are available through the company’s website (www.afrosundae.co.za) or follow them @afrosundae on Facebook and Instagram.