How Wiseman Zitha turned a childhood fascination with hair into a growing salon shaped by purpose, culture and creativity
All things have certainly worked together for Wiseman Zitha’s good, with the launch of his hair salon, UEL.
While at varsity in Pretoria, Wiseman juggled school and a full-time job at a salon in Sunnyside, not knowing that years later he would be helming one anchored by his own ideas and creativity. A dream he never saw materialising then.
“The name UEL is taken from the Hebrew Bible, which means the will or the wish of God. I strongly believe that this is not a coincidence when you look back at my journey. It was always God’s will that I own a beauty salon to fully express my talents, hence the name,” he shares.
This journey with hair dates back to life in Limpopo, Giyani. Definitely not a new thing.
“I was fascinated by hair. I can’t really pinpoint what exactly fascinated me, but I remember just having a keen interest in doing hair. So I just did. This was around the age of 12 years old in primary school, where I would randomly braid my peers and one of my aunts.
“I don’t remember learning it, it just came naturally,” he shares, also noting that in his family, he is the only one who could braid hair among his many sisters and female cousins.
His services became popular quickly, gaining momentum when he moved to Venda, where the real business began to take shape.
“It wasn’t about the money because back then you would charge R30. I would sit my clients under a tree and produce the most beautiful hairstyles ever. So it was really about the expression of my talent and how I made women feel thereafter.”
That passion still drives his motivation today. Seeing clients walk away feeling confident, beautiful and empowered remains one of the most rewarding aspects of his work.
Located in Midrand, the salon has been operating quietly since September last year, as Wiseman focused on building its foundation. That foundation is rooted in a calming and welcoming atmosphere, professional standards woven into every service, and an identity that is unmistakably his.
“The salon was launched right after we were done shooting Blood Legacy. I knew that I wanted a legacy that is carefully crafted. This is my child and I don’t want to rush it,” he shares.
“I will hire in due time, because where I am operating is the downstairs of the loft. Upstairs, I am preparing a nails station and will have a space where we cut hair. A fully-fledged salon that caters to the needs of various people.”
The look and feel of the space, he says, was directly inspired by God.
“My focus is on braiding hair, something I’ve loved for many years. But I also wanted my own niche in this highly competitive industry. My take will be fully embracing the roots of where braiding comes from. I can’t wait to attract clients who are bold enough to allow me to showcase other beautiful, bold African hairstyles on their heads. Think Somali braids, Kenyan braids — my difference is that I want to create exotic hairstyles that have not been explored yet.”
This era of his life, described in one word, is alignment.
“This gift and next step has been haunting me for years. And I have spoken about it from time to time, although I would brush it off as just a hobby. But it never was. I know I am meant to form part of hair conversations in society.”
“I hope that I am able to cement Africa’s ownership of the braiding movement. It started with us, it is ours. I want the hairstyles that we create at UEL to affirm women of their identity as powerful just the way they are, how their crowns are so influential across the globe, and that we must celebrate that.”
“African hair is powerful and that is what EUL Salon aims to celebrate,” he adds.
