BUTTERWORTH– The hair and beauty industry in the Mnquma region received a much-needed boost on 21 October 2025, as salon owners from Butterworth, Centane and Nqamakhwe gathered at the Butterworth Town Hall for a capacity building workshop hosted by Estudio Glam Foundation in partnership with Mnquma Local Municipality.
The event aimed to enhance skills, promote regulatory compliance and empower local entrepreneurs in the hair and beauty sector. The workshop drew an enthusiastic response from salon owners across the region, many of whom expressed appreciation for the initiative.
One of the Salon owner from Ngqamakwe Phumza Rhamba had this to say, “I learnt a lot from this workshop, I so wish these could be hosted more often. With the information I learnt from the speakers, I will now be able to comply and improve my salon.”
The workshop addressed key challenges faced by small salon businesses, including business registration, financial management, marketing strategies and access to funding. It also sought to overcome the perception that formalising a business is overly expensive or bureaucratic.
Furthermore founder and director of Estudio Glam Foundation Lwandy Ngebe had emphasized that, “We want to demystify the registration process and show you that it’s not a money-making scheme, but rather a pathway to growth and sustainability for your business.”
In addition Mnquma Local Municipality spokesperson Loyiso Mpalatshane reaffirmed the municipality’s support for the sector. “As the municipality, we are going to assist salon and beauty industry owners by buying products and equipment they need for their businesses. This is an ongoing initiative every year we host workshops like these.”
Participants were encouraged to interact with speakers, ask questions, and gain insights from experts in the field. The interactive sessions proved valuable, with many attendees expressing newfound confidence in taking the next steps toward compliance and growth.
To add another Salon owner Sandisiwe Enti from Butterworth said, “I learnt the importance of compliance and I’m going to register my business tomorrow morning.”
The workshop not only equipped entrepreneurs with practical tools but also reignited hope in an industry that has often felt overlooked. With continued support and initiatives like this, the hair and beauty sector in Mnquma is poised for sustainable growth and increased formal participation in the local economy.
As the industry continues to evolve, empowering events like this will play a crucial role in unlocking economic opportunities and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Eastern Cape.
Photographs: Supplied
