Name: Siyavuya Ndevu
Company: Siya Ndevu Hair Studio
Business Line: Hair products and services
Contact: +27 (0) 78 473 8916
Siyavuya Ndevu is a wellknown "hair doctor" in East London, but what many may not know is that she is the product of kindness, support and motivation given to her throughout her life by different people in her beloved home town.
She helps spruce up one of women's most valued possessions that needs to be taken care of with love and care — their wigs.
Ndevu found her niche after finding herself having to service as many as 20 wigs at a time.
The proud Ebenezer Majombozi High School alumni was working full-time at a call centre when she started fixing wigs as a side hustle.
But in 2017 she took the plunge and focused full-time on her hair business, opening the Siya Ndevu Hair Studio in Southernwood, East London.
Her studio offers a variety of hair products and services such as human hair wigs, hair treatments, hair bonnets and wig masterclasses.
"The idea initially started with me making my own wigs and taking care of them myself at home, then requests began to flock in from colleagues, friends and their families.
"In no time I became Siya Ndevu, the hair doctor. I would go home with so many wigs that needed to be serviced, and not sleep trying to ensure I delivered in time and don't disappoint my clients."
She said her company had become an industry leader that prided itself in giving back to the community and empowering unemployed youth. They not only create jobs, but also offer wig masterclasses that create entrepreneurship opportunities.
"They learn how to make wigs, upskilling to start their own businesses and take a piece of the pie in the growing billiondollar hair industry," said Ndevu.
This is to help put them in a position to start their own businesses and not wait for employment.
Ndevu, 28, is passionate about women empowerment, youth employment creation and giving back.
"I was raised in Parkside by a single mother who did her best to ensure that my siblings and I had a better life than she did. She sadly passed on when I was nine years old and that forced me to quickly grow up and find my way in life.
"I matriculated with five distinctions and studied Bcom accounting at Nelson Mandela University."
Ndevu knows what it feels like to be raised by the community. Her whole life has been filled with moments of kindness shown to her by strangers and people around her.
This is why she is determined to do the same for others.
When she was in grade 12 a lot of people helped her, including the staff at Ebenezer Majombozi.
"The school paid my application fees for varsity because I was academically talented. My entire matric dance attendance was donated by people — hair, nails, dress, shoes, everything.
"It is for this reason that I give back so much. I visit children's homes with my team and we give out food parcels, clothes, books, but more importantly we do the children's hair because I know first-hand what its like to go to school with your hair not done and how it can affect your self-esteem."
Ndevu said she chose to go into the beauty industry because it came naturally to her.
"I saw the gap in the industry. The business was established at a time where most hair salons in East London were not offering the latest wig care services due to human hair wigs being a new product and trend which was introduced in SA.
"We have filled the gap by opening a niche company which specifically caters to these problems."
She did not need a lot of capital as she was working from home, and bought equipment as money came in.
Ndevu has seven employees, all women under 35.
"Your current situation does not determine your future — you can be whatever you set out to be," she said.
Her studio is based in Southernwood at 70 Recreation Road.
