What’s a fresh haircut worth? For many students in South Africa’s most impoverished communities, it’s not just a trim – it’s a confidence boost, a step toward a bright future, and sometimes, it’s the last thing their families can afford.
But thanks to an initiative by the National Coloured Congress (NCC), more and more learners are returning to school feeling sharp and ready to take on the year.
Launched in Cape Town in 2021, the programme has since expanded to major cities across five provinces: the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Gauteng, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.
The initiative offers free haircuts twice a year, in January and June, to primary and high school students returning from their breaks. It’s a lifeline for families who would otherwise have to sacrifice other necessities, like food and electricity, just to get their children looking presentable for school.
Desmond Syce, national convener of the NCC, spoke to Salaamedia about the project. He said: “You can use that R50, or R100, for bread, lights, or whatever the case may be, but now you must put it for your child for a haircut.”
In communities where every cent counts, the simple act of a free haircut makes a world of difference.
What started as a local effort has quickly grown into a national movement. Syce says that the response has been overwhelming: “Other provinces were starting to reach out to us and we could not say no.”
It’s not just the NCC that’s getting involved; other political parties and organisations have joined in, recognising that when children benefit, the whole community does. “If our children can benefit, then we’re all for it. It’s really heartwarming to see our boys and girls feeling confident on their first day of school,” Syce added.
While the haircuts themselves are a highlight, the initiative goes beyond just looking good. Syce stresses the importance of providing food for the students while they wait for their turn, knowing that many children come from households struggling to make ends meet.
“Whilst they’re waiting for a haircut, we try to give them something to eat as well, because we know what the condition is within the households of the communities where we are residing,” he said.
The programme isn’t just about grooming—it’s about giving kids the self-assurance to take on the world. Syce explains the bigger picture: “We want to create confident little boys and girls. We want that confidence to be instilled within them from the get-go.”
Especially in areas like the Cape Flats, where gang activity is prevalent, the NCC aims to steer kids away from negative influences by offering them a supportive environment where they can feel valued and empowered.
As the programme expands and more communities join in, the message is clear: Every child deserves the chance to feel their best, to shine in school, and to dream big. For the NCC, this initiative is just one of many steps in advocating for a brighter future for South Africa’s younger generation.
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Picture: Carlos Moreno