My afro days started when I was still a baby…
I was only 6 months old when my mother started combing my afro out, she has always been an afro fan, so this all started as her own journey with my hair to being my own journey years later, although she remained the influence behind it. When I was in Primary school she would have my hair āblown outā at the salon, comb my hair in up-dos in the morning before I went to school, other times sheād have me make that āRebecca Malopeā cut lol and sometimes S-curl. Just like any other black girl back then, I had a fair share of chemicals used on my hair and it was very exciting at the time.
Ā
Fast forward to the year I made this journey my own, it was back in 2004, I was in grade 10, it was the same year that I was diagnosed with asthma, Iād been absent from school for a full 10 days, it was a very emotional time for me as I lost out on a lot of school work and was not coping with what I didnāt know yet was asthma. After all that trauma I felt like change, something that was going to give me a somewhat āfresh startā, my mother suggested that I cut my hair and grow natural hair, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands, I had the big chop! It was the most exciting thing Iāve ever done. I started experimenting with natural hair products, my afro grew and I kept it throughout high school, I loved it so much and Iāve since fallen in love. I was āfamousā for my afro at school and even today people I used to go to school with still refer to me as āKani wane wa afroā hahahaha.
Ā
Moving to tertiary, I didnāt wear my afro as much, I focused on growing it instead. Moving out of home and being a little independent came with the excitement of wanting to try new things, so for the first time in 2009, when I was doing my 2nd year in tertiary, I started weaving my hair, and did my āfro respond well?! Iād keep a weave for two months, you know moes student budget is tight like that kwaaks! And I achieved the longest hair length ever! For a reason I canāt remember, I cut my hair once again sometimes that year.
The journey has not been without temptations, in 2010 I decided to ārelaxā my hair for my 21st birthday that December, once again āI felt like changeā. So I put on that weave that has to āblend inā with a section of your hair, it looks very good on me, however the excitement did not last because after I took out the weave I had no clue what to do with my hair, I did not even like what I saw in the mirror. India Ariel says āIām not my hairā, but I sing a different song because I felt like I lost myself when I relaxed my afro, I am my hair.
I tolerated the relaxed hair until I felt I couldnāt do it anymore, I had another chop in September 2011, I felt so refreshed! The hair had so much glow, well partly because of pregnancy, I was pregnant with my daughter and did not know it yet. Pregnancy accelerated the hair growth and it was so rich and beautiful, I was in love once again!
Ā 

Temptations wouldnāt leave me alone, there came that weave again, a few years later, the one that needs to blend in with my own hair, the one that looks very good on me?? Yes that one! Lol that weave is the devil because it got me using chemicals on a portion of my hair, this time I decided to sacrifice JUST a portion of my hair lol like that was going to help coz I suffered the consequences aaaaanyway! Kikikikikikiki
Ā
Iāve grown a lot from then coz Iāve realised I only get temporary satisfaction from all that, so I decided Iām never gambling with my natural hair again! Iāve also just fell out of love with weaves over the years, I canāt even remember the last time I put on one.
Ā
What I love about my natural hair is how BEAUTIFUL I feel when Iām wearing it, I feel like I can just conquer the world nje (on those good days when itās behaving of course lol)
I think what I actually love the most is the fact that I can wear my hair natural and go out there and still slay and actually even feeeeeel myself without any issues of insecurity. I also love how unapologetic I become when Iām wearing my afro, the level of confidence is out of this world. Even on the bad hair-days, thereās still lots of confidence in there, like I donāt have to make any excuses for my hair, its NATURAL, know what I mean?????
Ā
Moving on to the bad hair days, I donāt stress much about those, I usually just wear a doek, and Iāve got lots of them that I can incorporate with my outfits, and life goes onā¦
One thing that helps make the journey bearable on those not so good days is the fact that all the women close to my heart also grow natural hair, my mother, my younger sis, my sis in-law and even my little daughter J so we share tips and encourage each other.

Ā
The biggest challenge Iāve always had with my hair is the shrinking L L L itās an ongoing struggle, sometimes people would even ask if Iāve cut my hair, so it goes back and forth. On days when Iām lucky enough and the length is at its peak, I take lots of pictures as a form of evidence lmao kidding.
The other challenge is the breaking of hair, our African natural hair is very dry so thatās also an ongoing struggle.
Ā
What I do to keep my hair protected and healthy?? Ok letās see, Iāve had the typical hair regime for the longest time, I wash with any good shampoo and I have enjoyed using the cholesterol conditioner from Avon for many years, then I apply hair food, sometimes I use hair fertilizers. There are natural hair tips that Lebogang Mashile shared on facebook that I would love to try out one of these days, Iām so in love with her afro!Ā <3 Ā and also the likes of Pearl Thuli, I follow any woman who takes pride in her natural hair š
Ā
I love braiding my hair and Iām glad thatās also a way of protecting it from harsh climate conditions, I wear hats and try out different protective styles in winter. I also wear head wraps a lot, and it works in favour for my hair, coz afro needs a break from āexposureā once in a while. Ever since I made a decision of not wearing āweavesā anymore, I have embarked on a very exciting journey of trying out different braiding hairstyles for African hair, I recently surprised my family and myself too (lol) and went for the red box braids lol the feedback was not positive kwaaaks but I loved it!!!

Ā
Growing natural hair is hard work, not for the faint-hearted, survival of the fittest, Iāve fallen off the wagon a few times but I will never give up!