Young man (24) shines in food and hair

HE has a strong passion for cooking and is studying professional cookery while at the same time working as a hairdresser.

Kudakwashe Chakaziva (24) is a young man who has defied the odds and has entered generally female dominated environs and is determined to make the best out of his talents.

Born in Harare and raised in rural Chiendambuya, Rusape in the Eastern Highlands, Chakaziva got his inspiration to cook from his aunt when he was young.

"I stayed with my aunt in Rusape and she told me that no job was specific to a girl or boy child and that I had to do everything. I started cooking in Grade 5 and I have never stopped," he said.

After completing his primary education at Chingozi Primary School, he moved to the big city with bright lights and promising opportunities, Harare, were he did his Ordinary Level at Seke High 1.

After facing challenges, he failed to continue with his schooling and waited for two years before he did his Advanced Levels.

"After A-level I was employed by the college where I learnt as they said I was a reliable person and I spent some time there before I stopped because I felt I was too young to work," Chakaziva said.

He left his job and told his aunt about the burning desire to learn how to cook professionally and she consulted her friends at a Harare hotel where they were referred to the School of Hospitality and Tourism in Bulawayo.

"Miracles do happen, I applied at the School of Hospitality and Tourism and interviews had been done but by the grace of the Lord I managed to secure a place and I started studying professional cookery this year. I am excited about it as I am living my dream," he said.

Asked on how he had ventured into hairdressing, he said while in the rural areas he was just interested in how the young ladies plaited "amabhanzi" and his curiosity never stopped.

He said he asked his aunt to show him how they plaited their hair and that is how he started.

"After I was shown by my aunt I then continued practising amabhanzi on the young rural girls. When female visitors came to our house I always looked at their weaves and then I started plaiting weaves and I have never stopped," Chakaziva said.

He said his two guinea pigs were his cousins Clara and Brilliant who he said were exposed to his skills for years such that they even stopped visiting hair salons as he would plait them at home.

He admits that in the initial stages some of the hair dos were not as neat but over the years he has perfected the art.
Asked on what how peers feel about his preferred choices of his career, Chakaziva said it was a challenge in the beginning.

"I once went to a salon to buy a hairpiece for a client so as a person who knows this area well I opened the weave and felt the texture. Little did I know one hairdresser was watching and she asked me if I plait hair to which I said, yes. She scolded me and said it was not manly," he said.

He said fellow students at his school never understood him especially when it came to hair issues but over time have accepted his choices.

His father only accepted and supported his talent after he was called to do hair for a bridal team and he was paid handsomely.

"After that wedding my father started to warm up to the idea but he never understood me in the beginning. The rest of the family is also supportive now and I am happy," he said.

His talent in hairdressing has seen him manage to take care of most of his expenses when he travels to Harare during school holidays. He says he is not a burden to his family as he can fend for himself from the proceeds of his talent.

Chakaziva said he has been using his hairdressing talent to support his cooking but with time he says he will use the cooking talent to support his hairdressing talent which is what he wants to do full time.

His clients are his college mates, lecturers and outsiders who know him. He also does hair for weddings and is called to do hair for brides and their bridesmaids.

Name any hairstyle, this lad can surely do it like a professional and he is not shy of his preferences as he is earning a decent living out of his talent.

He encouraged young men to make use of their God-given talents and that they should not be distracted by people who discourage them from pursuing their dreams.

In his parting shot, the vibrant Chakaziva said: "A barking dog cannot stop a moving train."