Igol Lekweni thought the fight was over. But after battling cancer and emerging victorious, she found herself at war again. This time, it was because of an abusive relationship. “I had to pull myself out from the gutter,” Lekweni says. “I literally lost everything.” Despite the struggles she faced, Lekweni was able to put the strands of her life back together – through hairstyling.
Lekweni’s fascination began as a child when she was exposed to different styles on television and in magazines. “Our hair tells a story and it's a form of expression,” she says. “It spoke to me.” During Lekweni’s ordeals, the art of washing, cutting, and colouring hair allowed her to meditate and explore her strengths. As a hairstylist, Lekweni could make clients feel beautiful, provide a listening ear, and fulfil her passion of bringing happiness to others. “I was able to overcome my struggles by seeing different people all the time,” she says.
What started as a childhood ambition has helped Lekweni recover from her pain and achieve her goals. After saving up her hard-earned money, Lekweni is now the owner of a hair salon in Hout Bay and has her own brand of products. “Becoming a fighter wasn’t my choice,” she says. “It was a necessity for me to live my dream.” Find what you love, and let it heal you.
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