The Africa Eastern Cape Hair and Beauty Business Seminar, held at the ECDC offices in East London, has sparked renewed hope for unemployed youth in the beauty and fashion sectors. The event aimed to equip local hairstylists, fashion designers, and aspiring entrepreneurs with tools to establish their own businesses and become active contributors to the local economy.
Spearheaded by Estudio Glam and its founder Lwandy Ngebe, the seminar brought together private and public sector stakeholders including ECDC, SEFDA, SALGA, EOHCB, and the Hairdressing Bargaining Council — all unified in their mission to transform the beauty industry into a powerful driver of youth employment and innovation.
“We want to transform the industry through Estudio Glam, in collaboration with key stakeholders from both private and public sectors,” said Ngebe.
The seminar featured one-on-one coaching sessions with industry leaders, panel talks on overcoming entrepreneurial challenges, and presentations of innovative strategies to thrive in the hair and fashion industry.
Key Focus Areas:
- Empowering local stylists with industry insights
- Promoting job creation for unemployed youth
- Enhancing skills development through structured training
- Encouraging business ownership among young creatives
- Fostering collaboration and long-term partnerships
The event attracted a strong local turnout, with many participants praising the practical value of the training and networking opportunities. According to organizers, it’s just the beginning of a larger movement aimed at shifting unemployed youth from job-seeking to income-generating mindsets.
“Together, we will unlock the sector’s potential and contribute to local economic growth,” Ngebe concluded.
