WINDHOEK– Many people often refer natural hair as dry, unstyled or unshaped but for naturalists natural hair is simply beautiful.
About 60 naturalists gathered at the Innovation Village recently to discuss their kinks and curls at the Natural Hair Debate where the ladies indulged in hair care tips, society and stereotypes, peer pressure and a treat to a self-funded documentary, ‘Kickin’ It With The Kinks’, produced by Cynthia Butare and written/presented by Mundia Situmbeko, which explores the complexities of hair, and the issues women of African descent are faced with regard to their afro textured hair and the perception of society. The five panellists Sharon Kasanda, Fenny Ndapewa Nyakanyete, Beauty Boois, Kaylan Sutton and Zodidi Gaseb, who engaged with other naturalists on the never ending discussions on naturals.
The points raised at the debate were, among others, the difficulties of taking care of natural hair, natural vs relaxed, natural hair doesn’t change who you are as a person or your capabilities, the difference between good and bad hair, losing identity, and how women use to be proud to own their hair choices without any anxiety that they did. The debate emphasised how hair plays a major role in some peoples’ lives, how natural women waste time focusing on other peoples’ hair rather than just being themselves and how sometimes when one is judged by how their hair looks can be an issue in being accepted in some work places.
It was an event not to be missed and it was really encouraging to see a room full of women from different backgrounds ready to share their experiences with others. Kaylin made a valid point when she said peoples’ mindsets about natural hair can be changed only by being confident and showing who one is and also by trying not get too attached to physical stuff.
The event attracted so many beautiful women with a variety of different hairstyles and it didn’t focus on only some types of hairstyles which might have made some people feel left out. The credit goes to Zodidi who allowed a wide variety of viewpoints during the debate and kept the debate conversational.
By Selma Neshiko