Story by Rashid Mhlanga
The master barber whose scissors are shaping more than just haircuts – they’re cutting through the noise of the ordinary. With a flair for creativity and a passion that’s infectious, Kwesta the Barber has become a sensational phenomenon, transforming the humble act of barbering into an art form that’s captivating audiences far and wide. In the world of barbering, where precision meets artistry and skill meets creativity, one name has risen above the rest, shining like a beacon of innovation and excellence. For seven remarkable years, Kwesta, the master barber, has been weaving a spell of transformation, one haircut at a time. With a passion that’s palpable and a talent that’s undeniable, every snip of his scissors and every stroke of his clippers, he has been setting standards of style, artistry, and entrepreneurship, leaving an indelible mark on the world of barbering.
Today, he is synonymous with excellence, his work a masterclass in creativity, precision, and attention to detail. His clients, a veritable who’s who of corporate personalities, influencers, and style icons, flock to his chair, eager to experience the magic of his craft. And yet, despite his prolific clientele and the expertise, Kwesta the Barber remains humble, grounded, and true to his roots, driven by a passion that burns brighter with each passing day. This is where creativity meets innovation, and the art of barbering is elevated to new and dizzying heights.
He was born as Kwethemba Nkala on the 3rd of June in 1992. “Cutting hair is an art”, he says as he was meticulously designing a client`s hair. “It`s all about vision, precision and fusing it with the love for the craft, you will get the best of the results”, he added. Kwesta the Barber commenced his career in an interesting way. “I was influenced by a barber who was cutting my hair when I had gone for a cut. So, certain barber needed an assistant who was well vexed in the industry even though I had no relevant experience, I he had an idea of what it entailed”, he said. After taking such a bold risk, a couple of days later on a Monday, he was now getting the hang of it, adjusting the sails pretty well.
This summer, Kwesta the Barber is celebrating a remarkable seven years in the industry. “It`s been a long time coming, the journey has been a very interesting one for me and I am truly grateful for the lessons learnt and the experience that I have gained”, he said. He went on to salute his family for the role that they have played in his career. “My family has be quite supportive, encouraging and focused in helping me to achieve my career goals, they have been my rock and pillar of strength through it all and I have seen that in whatever that I set out to do, I have my life-time cheerleaders”, he said.
Kwesta desires to build an academy to train teach others the craft & help them cultivate the desired character. “It is a dream to have such an institution to nurture the talent in our generation & the coming ones. Just like any other industry, barbers also require masterclasses on character, conduct and the economic side of it”, he said. “Being a barber is rewarding and I have managed invest in quite a number of things in life for I learnt the art of working & saving well instead of being high on substances which affect my ‘ubuntu’, reputation and work ethic”, he added.
Creativity is a catalyst in the world of barbers & that has seen the renowned Jace Dixon, Rob the Original, Mark Bustos, Kenny Duncan, Carlos Estrella and Danny Amorim being accoladed for their style, elegance & setting new trends as they design haircuts for some of the world`s celebrities such as Tom Brady, Alicia Keys, David Beckham, and Drake. Weighing in on the matter, Kwesta the Barber reiterated the need for people to think outside the box. “Creativity matters in this industry! It`s good for people to sample ideas and try new things as you build your name as a barber” he said.
His journey has not been ‘All glitz & glamour’, he has had his own fair share of the jaw-dropping moments. A memorable moment was when his then employer as he started used to give him broken machines so he failed to cut someone`s hair. “It was a disaster! I tried to salvage the moment by trying to fix the cut whilst profusely apologizing but it was to no avail, it was my colleague who came to my rescue & fixed the problem”, he said.
Kwesta the barber implored fellow industry professionals revise their operations as this tends to make or destroy brand reputations and there`s need to listen to clients` needs & concerns in a professional manner. “As the personnel mandated to enhance beauty, we constantly have to improve hygiene standards, character and public relations skills. Certain clients do not like crowded saloons so they opt for house calls or up-market, quiet places for top-notch meticulous services, thus indicating what we need to adjust to as we grow our careers”, he said.
As we conclude the remarkable story of Kwesta, the barber who’s been weaving a spell of transformation for seven incredible years, we’re left with a sense of awe and wonder at the sheer magnitude of his achievement. From the humblest of beginnings to the pinnacle of success, Kwesta’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Through his craft, he has touched the lives of countless individuals, transforming not just their hair, but their confidence, their self-perception, and their very sense of self. He’s a master of his domain, a virtuoso of the scissors, and a sultan of style. But more than that, he’s a shining example of what it means to live a life of purpose, to pursue one’s dreams with unrelenting passion, and to never settle for mediocrity.
