Author & Change Agent: Danya Steele

Danya Steele is not only a writer, editor and change agent, but she’s also very passionate about South Africa. Originally from Harlem, New York City, Danya studied Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) at the University of Cape Town (South Africa) and Oxford University (UK). She is currently writing a book that focuses on young South Africans doing extraordinary things.

FC: Origins and current location?

DS: Origin: Harlem, NY 
Current location: Right outside of Atlanta, Georgia but returning to NYC this weekend.

You are a writer, editor and a change agent. Tell us more on what a change agent does?

A change agent creates measurable and progressive social change by using their time, talents, resources and energy. They get excited by the opportunity to improve things (beyond themselves) for the better.

You are working on a book that celebrates the young “movers & shakers” in South Africa. Could you tell us more about it, how did this idea come about?

This is actually answered on my website (www.danyasteele.com), though a more detailed reply is probably right here: SABC Interview. I answer it right off the bat in that audio.

Who are some of the other South Africans you are collaborating with on this project?

Rushay Booysen is an amazing South African photographer and was my collaborator early on. The original vision was that he’d be the primary force driving the visual element of this, as the book is only one part of a four part project including a documentary film, international photo exhibit and mentoring initiative for South African kids.

Rushay ended up having to step away to tend to personal obligations, and we’re hoping he’ll be able to join in later for this work. For now, the project moves forward with collaborations across the board with some of the most talented young creatives South Africa has to offer.

For example, the film — based on the book — is commissioned to a team of talented South African filmmakers; the photo exhibit showcases top South African talent and is curated by a South African, and the mentoring initiative is obviously heavily local. While it’s my brainchild, I’m one of the few Americans involved. I’m very big on a local project being informed by local people. If a project doesn’t have that, I’d be skeptical.

Can you name a few of the young people you plan to feature in your book?

Nkululeko Luthuli: Grandson of Africa’s first Nobel Prize Winner, Albert Luthuli. He left his job as an investment banker to erect and head an NGO called The Luthuli Foundation, in his grandfather’s honor. The foundation works, amongst other things, to pull South African farms out of poverty by connecting local goods to mainstream markets.

Prince Cedza Dlamini: Grandson of Nelson Mandela. Founder of The Ubuntu Institute for Young Social Entrepreneurs, an organization that trains and supports young social entrepreneurs from Africa. Dlamini does a lot of international travel, speaking out regularly on humanitarian issues and shaping the way socially responsible business operates in Africa.

Fred Swaniker: CEO of the African Leadership Academy – a leading educational institution committed to developing the next generation of Africa’s leaders. Based in Johannesburg, the high school takes young men and women from all over the continent.

One ALA student who’s been getting much press is William Kamkwamba, inventor and best-selling author of “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind”.

You studied at UCT & have also travelled extensively across South Africa. How has your experience of SA been like?

Oh, there’s so much to say! In short, though, South Africa is one of the most incredible places I’ve been to. It’s naturally beautiful, it’s people are passionate and its political accomplishments are impressive.

What parts of SA have you visited & which is you favourite city/place?

Cape Town, Jozi, PE and many small towns inbetween. Cape Town is likely my favourite for its natural beauty, although Johannesburg has an electricity in the air that I especially appreciate as a New Yorker. I will absolutely end up getting a home in Cape Town, though. Likely in the next few years. I knew that from the moment I studied abroad at UCT. My investment in South Africa is long-term.

Now, let’s talk about your hair. You have such beautiful natural hair by the way. How long have you been natural and what prompted that decision?

Thanks! Funny that this is a blog that talks about South African culture and natural hair because living in South Africa was one of the big inspirations for me to go natural. I was 18 at the time (I’m 25 now), and I came to South Africa with many preconceived notions about what it would be, like many Americans of color. I expected Africa to represent authentic, untouched, pure African beauty and was disappointed to see so many otherwise beautiful African women rocking hairstyles that didn’t compliment them.

This was mostly a monetary issue; lots of those women I saw were poor and couldn’t afford to maintain their processed hair, which means their hair just looked poorly kept. Seeing women relax their hair and bleach their faces (another thing I began to notice…) was just crazy, disappointing and so sad to me.

The defining moment where I decided to go natural: I was at a concert, I looked at two people on either side of me, bumping to the music. One was a woman with a relaxer. It was unkept and she probably needed a touch-up, or some professional attention. It just looked unpleasant and unattractive. It really took away from her natural beauty. She didn’t look that healthy, either.

The other woman had BIG, BRIGHT natural, auburn hair just shining in the sun, she had this beautiful sun dress on, her skin was vibrant and glowing, she was smiling…I just said, wow! She was sooooo beautiful! Her skin literally SANG to me! So I said, I wanna do THAT! It became so clear to me that natural beauty was my preference. So obvious. And I was 18 now, technically of age (in the States) and had real control over my body and identity. So I decided I wanted to see what my own hair looked like.

Even deeper, I reflected and decided that it was so sad, the way so many people of color are trained to basically “wipe out” or “dye” or “press” any natural part of themselves the INSTANT it pokes its head out in the form of new growth. It’s like the INSTANT any part of you shows up? Let’s wipe that out.

These women — these absolutely stunning women of color — are trained to do that so early on in life; little girls grow up never even knowing what their natural beauty looks like. Just: wow! When I thought about that, I thought that was a really crazy and profoundly sad psychological process and I was very eager to see what I looked like, without all of that work of maintaining processed hair, without all of this unnecessary “work” to present yourself as fundamentally false, really. I wanted to see my own natural beauty.

The outcome is that my hair is absolutely gorrrrrrgeous, even when I barely get to do anything (in fact, people seem to like it the less I do to it?) and I would neverrrrrrr think about relaxing it. Straight hair is just kind of boring to me, now. I don’t need to relax a damn thing. I can blow it out if I want straight, which I occasionally do just for variety, but I usually get really eager to see my curly hair again. Straight hair feels too common, even oppressive for me. I LOVE the personality represented by my curls. So I love that. I rock that.

What is your hair care regimen and what are your favourite hair products?

REGIMEN:
I condition my hair in the shower almost every day and wash my hair maybe every 2-3 days. If I washed it any more than that, it would dry out and damage my hair. And then when I get out, I like to put a moisturizer/gel-like product to hold my curl pattern. That’s pretty much my staple:
1. Condition
2. Pat Dry (so, no dripping)
3. Apply a gel product that is alcohol-free and perhaps a moisturizer.

On days when I am maybe staying home and don’t care as much about my curl pattern, I skip the gel, just add a moisturizer and my hair just feels really soft.

I am always experimenting with products. ONE thing I have found is that there really is no reliable “it” for everyone. A woman who looks like she has the SAME TEXTURE hair as you will suggest something wholeheartedly/enthusiastically, and then you’ll take it home and be like, “huh? say what? this does what? no it doesn’t!”

So one thing I’ve learned as a woman with naturally curly hair is that you really don’t ever know unless you try it for yourself. I would suggest not blindly assuming someone else’s recommendation will work for you, because that’s not true.

What DOES seem to work for everyone: alcohol-FREE gels and PROTEIN-based gels. These don’t dry out your hair. And EVERYONE needs that (needs something that doesn’t dry them out). Watch out for stuff that smells great and looks great but one of the first ingredients is alcohol. Use that for long enough and watch your hair dry riiiight up.

Personally (even though different products work for everyone), one line of product that seems to do wonders for many women I know (including myself) are things from Aussie Hair. Their conditioners are really great and some of the best I’ve used. But I switch up my conditioners all the time. I think Aussie actually has alcohol in it, and I’d ideally love to find a conditioner that WORKS like Aussie and is alcohol-free.

While you were in SA did you buy your products locally or did you bring your own from overseas?

Locally. I find whatever works. Gurrrrrl, the USA has no real monopoly on hair products. For women with natural hair, you still have to dig and search for natural products that don’t dry you out. I sometimes find really awesome deals in 99 cent or discount stores (you’d be surprised!); they can sell things that are alcohol-free sometimes. This helps if you’re on a tight budget. Or really higher end stores are likely to carry things with natural products, things that were made with YOU in mind.

Do you think there is a difference between how natural hair is perceived here in SA and in the US?

I actually think, from my experience, that natural hair is more celebrated in South Africa. I have had many Black American or even Latin American women tell me they love or admire my hair but “they could never do that themselves, with the texture they have”. They think my texture is acceptable, but theirs isn’t. I think that’s sad and just a byproduct of them having downloaded someone else’s warped ideologies somewhere along the line.

I’ve told American women that in Africa, I’ve seen women with really, really, really tight curls — super duper kinky — rock their hair natural and that it looks AMAAAAAZING! Super duper fly. The American women will shake their heads, as if to say “no, not me.”

So I think African women may be slightly more confident about this, or at least the women I’ve seen. I could be biased. I’m basing this on living in major South African cities with those in my circle. It’ll be interesting to see if that’s the case once I return to SA and travel even more extensively – not just in major cities but small towns, in townships and rural areas, etc.

Any advice you can give to all the young people in SA?

TELL YOUR STORY! The world is very curious to hear new stories, new voices, new perspectives and no one can ever tell your story better than you. So tell it! Step up! When I lived in South Africa, I was reporting for American magazines and I can tell you; they did NOT want to hear me reporting back on South Africans who had merely adopted Western habits. They wanted, instead, to hear about things that were distinctly South African. So see YOUR identity as a privilege and as an advantage; rock what’s UNIQUE about you — your culture, your hometown, your style, your NATURAL beauty — and you will stand out!

You can check out Danya’s website on www.danyasteele.com

You can also follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/danyasteele

Find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/danyasteele

Our TGIN winner…Nipha

Remember Nipha? Once profiled here on FroChic before. she was one of the readers who jumped at the opportunity to win the Thank God I’m Natural merchandise the time the competition ran.

She won, and dropped us a mail to say thanks together with these pics:

Lunga

I grew up all over the world, but when I go home I go to the Eastern Cape to a place called Cofimvaba.

I work as a television producer, writer and singer.

I decided to go natural towards the end of high school… stayed like that until I was ‘tricked into softening my hair… left that lady’s place with a perm. I was maaad.  But the ‘fro that I rock now is about 3-4 years old.

The reason I decided to go natural was that there was just too much time and money wastage in going to the salon every 2 weeks.

I’m not horrified by the rain. And I get to be creative the way that I wish with enough hairpins for this hair. Most importantly, angisashelwa nge mali 😀

I will not lie,  I have no specifics products. There is always someone suggesting something that makes your hair soft and all. I find though that no matter what hair food I use, if I sleep with plaits, my hair is on point.

I actually have mom send me her new discoveries from Chicago.

My room is my hair salon. I went natural so I don’t have to go to the  salon.

My favourite hairstyle:

What We’re Loving This Winter

Seeing that we all just got paid, how about a li’l shopping this weekend huh? A lady can never have enough anyway….that’s in the constitution…look it up. lol.

Right; here’s what we suggest you put on your shopping list (if you don’t have it already in your wardrobe). From head to toe, heeeere we go:-

Mr Price, Woolworths & Foschini have a variety of these

I found some cute ones at Mr Price

Every clothing store has chunky knits…even Chinese shops…Yip.

Of course with fuller shoes/boots on. I don’t need to remind ya’ll it’s been cold lately…hence this post

Product review: TREsemmé Vitamin E Moisture Rich Conditioner

Since going natural and reading up about what products are good for our natural hair; I’ve just become so obsessed in trying out different types of conditioners with the aim of finding the RIGHT one. Guys, I seriously think I’m a product junkie sometimes, but I’m not complaining…lol.

The most recent conditioner that I’ve tried is TREsemmé Vitamin E Moisture Rich Conditioner for dry or damaged hair. I’ve been hearing a lot of raves about it (ok, more from white folks than from the black community, but hey the label doesn’t say its just for straight, long & silky hair, right? lol)  so I thought why not try it out? it might just be what I’ve been looking for all along…

I’ve been using TREsemme Vitamin E Conditioner for about a month now, so I thought it will be a great idea to share with you on what I thought of it:

Texture: it’s got quite a thick, almost custardy type of texture and it’s white in colour. Personally, I love a conditioner that is thick in texture because when I lather it onto my hair, I don’t want it running down too much on my forehead or neck. I just feel the thicker it is, the more it will penetrate into the hair follicles. And a small amount goes a long way.

Smell: Oooh I love the smell. Its not too perfumey or overpowering but it’s got that light, clean, just-stepped-out-the-shower type of smell. 

Slip: From what I understand “slip” is how easy it is to run your comb through you hair while the conditioner is in your hair. Well, this product is good on that front. My comb glides very easily through my hair and the knots just melt away 🙂 (Please remember to always use a wide-toothed comb when combing through you hair and preferably when your hair is wet or damp)

Price: R69.99 @ Clicks stores.

Ingredients: Water Aqua , Quaternium-18 , Cetyl Alcohol , Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine , Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate , Biotin , Niacinamide , Ascorbic Acid , Panthenol , Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract Sweet Almond , Corylus Avellana Leaf Extract Hazel , Helianthus Annuus Extract Sunflower , Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract , Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract , Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract Fennel , Hydroxyethylcellulose , Stearyl Alcohol , Glyceryl Stearate , Butylene Glycol , Quaternium-80 , Steareth-21 , Dimethicone , Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate , Oleamine Oxide , Propylene Glycol , Glycerin , Citric Acid , PVP , Polysorbate 20 , DMDM Hydantoin , Disodiium EDTA , Fragrance Parfum

I’m not sure if this will become my staple conditioner, but I”ll keep using it until the bottle is finished (its a huge bottle, all 900ml of it!). That said, its size is definitely not user-friendly. I find that its too heavy to hold for long, sometimes you just want something small and light to fit into your hand. There are however, smaller travel size bottles available which might be a better option. The only disadvantage will be that you will run out sooner…

My verdict:  give it a try, maybe it might just be what you are looking for.

~Nangamso

Tell us about your hair!

Matlhodi & I have been — collectively —  natural for over a period of 8 years 🙂 Even though I’m new to this and Matlhodi is a veteran, we also do face our joys and challenges with our natural hair.

Lately wherever you look, there seems to be this great support for natural hair. Sisters are abandoning their relaxers (or the “creamy crack”, as its affectionately known) for chemically-free hair. Its great to see more black women embracing their God-given natural hair. However, there  are still a few other ladies who would really love to rock their natural hair with pride — free from criticism and ridicule — but needless to say sometimes its not that easy for them.

So, we would like to ask those of you who are already natural (newbies & veterans), if you could share your hair experiences (good or bad) with us to give other naturals-to-be some inspiration and encouragement.

Please share your thoughts in the comment box below on:

*What inspired you to go natural (or stay) natural?

*What keeps you going on days when your natural hair seems to let you down/frustrates you?

*Share some of your favorite hairstyles that you love to rock (to give an alternative to those naturals who are bored with the same look & are looking for some hair inspiration)?

Tell us about your hair!

Matlhodi & I have been — collectively —  natural for over a period of 8 years 🙂 Even though I’m new to this and Matlhodi is a veteran, we also do face our joys and challenges with our natural hair.

Lately wherever you look, there seems to be this great support for natural hair. Sisters are abandoning their relaxers (or the “creamy crack”, as its affectionately known) for chemically-free hair. Its great to see more black women embracing their God-given natural hair. However, there  are still a few other ladies who would really love to rock their natural hair with pride — free from criticism and ridicule — but needless to say sometimes its not that easy for them.

So, we would like to ask those of you who are already natural (newbies & veterans), if you could share your hair experiences (good or bad) with us to give other naturals-to-be some inspiration and encouragement.

Please share your thoughts in the comment box below on:

*What inspired you to go natural (or stay) natural?

*What keeps you going on days when your natural hair seems to let you down/frustrates you?

*Share some of your favorite hairstyles that you love to rock (to give an alternative to those naturals who are bored with the same look & are looking for some hair inspiration)?

He Chopped Off His 7 Year Long Locs

So one of our subscribers, Dladla brought this amazing story to our attention & we couldn’t help but ask Maque to be featured here on FroChic.

So Maque cut his 7 year long locs recently. Bonang fela:

and now it’s all gone:

Having chopped my locs after 5 years I know the question he has to endure for the next few years is “Why?”…”Why?”  & more “Why?”‘s to a point of guilt. lol

So we caught up with him:

Origins & current location?

I am from a small town called Mokopane (Potgietersrus) in Limpopo, I moved to Cape Town for 4.5 years in my late teens and now I am based in Johannesburg – been here since 2009, Love it!

Tell us more about your blog, Maque deGorgeous, what do you blog about?

Maque DeGorgeous, more than anything, is a celebration of South African Fashion Designers, the “vortex” of the Fashion scene of Africa. I have attended numerous Fashion Shows and the standard of work presented by our Fashion Designers is amazing and it is a shame that not everybody, in the country, is familiar with our designers.

Maque DeGorgeous also has a social aspect – I discuss some of the events I attend, usually where fashion forms the focal point.

I see you talk a lot about fashion on your blog, so who are some of you favourite designers?

I hate answering this question because I measure designers by their last collection. So my “favourite designer” is very seasonal; I will love whoever speaks my language with their collection. But the designers who have consistently spoken Maque-nese are David Tlale, Kluk CGDT, Black Coffee, Heni and Suzaan Heyns.

My calculations say  you’ve grown your locs since 2003; right? Were you natural before then?

My hair has a tale of it’s own. It’s journey of experimenting started in January 2001 when I ditched my mother’s dictation of “chico style” (german haircut?) to try dredlocks. It took forever for my hair to “loc” because the texture was too soft and whatever crazy reasons I got from friends who were trying the dry towel twist method. I eventually went to a hair salon where, hours later I got what resembled dredlocks – it was an Afrodred which was very unpopular then and i received many confused compliments.

Later that year (2001), around November, I undid the unloc’d dreds (but i lost some hair undoing this) and had a lovely afro for about a month. My damaged hair then allowed me to see-saw from dredlocks to afro as often as possible and that was what happend till about mid-June 2002 when i eventually settled for dredlocks.. phew!

Why dreadlocks?

Did you see how Vusi Twala and Brown Matsime (RIP) used to flick their hair? I also wanted to give myself whiplash! LOL!

On a serious note though: it was the natural prgression from what I had. Plaits and heavy chemicals were not my thing

 What was the most challenging stage in growing them?

The”too short to do a pony” and “too long to leave them haning” stage – annoyed me immensely! plus I have thick hair so it was very unruly. That and also getting started – took weeks to get them to look presentable.

What does one need to get to that length you had just before you cut them off?

Patience! Patience and hairstyle ideas to suite your length – anything unusual made me love my hair even more.

Now the big question (i’m sure you’re pretty tired of answering this one). Why the BIG CHOP?

7.5 years showed absolutely no progress in my life in terms of “new look” and creativity. I wanted to experiment with new hairstyles and the longer my hair got, the more limited the styles got.

Will you consider growing them back?

Growing? LOL! I kept my hair for a reason. I will weave it back on should i ever feel the need (its self grown so no one should judge me!) – but I have temporarily “borrowed” them to someone. Keep an eye on my blog for this…

For what it’s worth, you look just as great with that TWA.

Check out Maque’s NEW LOOK‘s  full story on his blog, maquedegorgeous.blogspot.com

Update: I’m Losin It…

Remember at the end of  my frustration post, I listed 4 possible options for me as my next step? Well, I opted for protective styling.

For the next few winter months I’ll cover it up under braids, weaves & plaits; which should keep it safe from all that harsh cold air.

Protective Style #1: Afro sew-in

with some cornrows(my own hair) at the front:

Love it.

The Good:

• A lot of people still don’t believe that it’s not mine & I love it. They think I’ve blow-dried it…heeheee
• I can still spray my hair underneath with water to keep it moisturized; and then base my scalp with Jeba between the tracks.
• I get a whole lotta complements from men & women, black & white; loving the attention.lol
• My morning routine’s simple: spray with Sta-sof-fro spray for braids, comb out &  I’m good to go.
• The weave is reusable(so sez the hairstylist who sew it on) – not sure if I’d still wanna use it again later though.

The bad:

• I have to comb it every day or else it’ll tangle at the tips.
• My scalp is already screaming for a good wash(mind you it’s week #2 now)
• I feel limited to one look.

I’m planning to last a month or longer with it (and so help me God). Hopefully, I’ll see a little progress when I take it off.

Keep it real,
Matlhodi

Editor Of HYPE Magazine: Mizi Mtshali

 Mizi Mtshali, hip-hop producer and editor of HYPE Magazine, took some time out to chat with us about his career…and his hair.

 

 

FC: You’ve got one of the coolest jobs most of us can only dream of. Mind sharing with our readers what it’s like doing what you do?

 

MM: Well, I’m the editor of HYPE magazine, which is the country’s leading hip hop magazine, and Africa’s most recognised hip hop publication. I’m really grateful for what I do because it allows me to give back to the hip hop community. What drives me is the love I have for the hip hop community so everyday is dedicated to the advancement of hip hop. You asked me what its like? Its fun.

 

How did you get into this industry?

 

It wasn’t up to me I chose the path that chose me. I started producing about 12 years ago back in school. Studied advertising at Vega and hold a BA Degree in Creative Brand Communication. I carried on producing and in 2006, got the call from HYPE.

 

Who are the coolest/easy-to-work-with rappers you’ve featured on Hype Magazine?

 

Their all really cool and easy to work with and I have mad love for them all. The local cats that is. Always a pleasure working with cats in the industry. From Skwatta Kamp to Driemanskap, all the way to Motipa, Abdus, Deep Level and Khuli Chana. Internationally I’ve spent time with Mos Def, Canibus, K’Naan, Nas, Bow Wow, had a brief encounter with Jay-Z and chatted to Luda, Lupe and the late great Guru. May his soul rest in peace. All of them great dudes!

 

 

You’re also a Hip-Hop producer. Who are a few prominent artist you’ve worked with?

 

Well I’ve been blessed enough to work firstly with Tumi on his album Music From My Good Eye where I did two tracks. I did most of Zubz‘s Headphone Music In A Parallel World. Both albums were nominated for SAMA Awards in the same year. I recently worked with HHP on his SAMA nominated album Dumela where I produced a track called “Ancestors”. I also worked on Teargas‘ SAMA Award winning Dark Or Blue album where I produced the hit singles “Go Away” and the up coming “Take It Eazy”. Oh snap, all the joints I’ve worked on have been SAMA nominees. I’ve worked with dozens of cats but you asked me for the prominent ones.

There is a track of mine that has been recorded by Wyclef Jean, HHP and Ike Chukwu. With that said, I would like to say this. We don’t create the music. God just channels it through us. We’re just vessels that transport music to the people so we can never take the credit.

Having achieved so much at such a young age; what you’d you say to a young, black ambitious brother trying to make their way up in the industry?

Right now I don’t think I’m in a position to give advice. I’m still growing and learning. I guess then I’d say, grow and learn everyday. Innovate everyday. Push your personal limits. Work while they sleep. One day you’ll wake up and you’ll be a head ahead of these headz.

What beats are playing in your ipod/car right now?

Tsakane has my iPod. That’s my mentor. I have my car. I’m bumping my beats in my car to make sure levels are right. Bumping Projektah’s album, Abdus from DBN, Pro’s Snakes And Ladders, Mos Def, Hishaam from PE, Jaak from CPT, Big Size from Bloem, Month Katalyst from the Vaal, Apollo Diablo from Botswana and Andriante from Mafikeng. And much more.

Now let’s talk about your ‘fro.  Your afro is quite huge, how long have you had it?

I don’t cut my hair. But it breaks off when I twist it so its been 5 years now. Had dreads before.

Most guys normally have a brush cut, chiskop or dreadlocks. Why the decision to grow out your hair into an afro?

Its my religion. Thou shal have a full head of hair! For real I’m not joking. When I was 2, my mom cut my hair. I cried like a baby. Wait, I was a baby. And I picked my hair up and tried to put it back onto my borotho-shaped head.

Now that you have an afro is it more time-consuming maintaining it than shorter hair?

I think so. Last time my hair was short was 11 years ago… So I don’t remember.

Your bantu knots look really cool and stylish. Do you twist them yourself or do you have them done at a salon?

Bantu knots, popcorn… Not sure what to call them. Thank you for thinking their cool. I twist them myself with no mirror. Nobody touches my hair. Last time I was inside a salon was 1998.

Do you have a stylist, do your own hair or take it to a hair salon?

Nope, no stylist, no salon.

What is your hair regimen (how often you wash, twist them, etc) and what hair products do you use?

I wash it weekly at least when I have my twists. When its a fro its daily til I twist it. I use Colgate shampoo and yellow Avon hair tshasment which was a freebee they sent to my office. Will be at a loss when it runs out.

What perceptions do you get from society/hip-hop industry regarding your afro?

Girls want to touch the fro. Guys are mad jelly so they diss the fro. Girls don’t like the twists so guys tell me the twists suit me.

From a male point of view, what do you think of women who wear their hair:

a. Natural
b. Straight/Chemically processed

 
a: Okey, because I love you all, I’m going to tell you the truth from a guy’s perspective. When it comes to the natural look, she’s gotta be a certified dime to pull it off. Like your mommy in her 70s pics.
b: Straight or chemically processed? You forgot weaves. Its all wrong and unnatural, but we LOVE IT! We love it so much! We know its a lie, but we love it! We love girls who buy their hair and nails. Sorry ladies, I’m just being real. I once dated a girl based on her weave. When she went natural, it wasn’t the same so I jetted. It is with great sadness that I present this truth. Don’t hate me.
 

Any advice you can give to guys who are thinking of growing out their hair?

Comb your hair outside so you don’t have to sweap. Get the Black Fist afro comb. Get the yellow hair tshasment. Put on your t-shirt before you comb your fro. Don’t sit in front of the class. Let girls touch it. Utilize it, but don’t you ever brutalize it. Pick your afro daddy (no homeal) cause its flat on one side.

Check out HYPE magazine on: www.hypemagazine.co.za