Woza Sisi

Woza Sisi is a registered NPO that aims to initiate and facilitate skills development workshops for local informal hairstylists. The organisation was birthed by Dahlia Maubane (Founder) through her on-going body of work “Woza Sisi”. Woza Sisi – loosely translated means “Come Sister”. Woza Sisi, developed in 2012, explores how a group of black women street-hairstylist negotiate, navigate; and shape complex demarcated trading zones whilst plying their trade. The longitudinal photography project of close to a decade has focused its lens particularly on the physical urban spaces in which the hairdressers live and work. The body of work has opened channels for a conscious and compassionate dialogue between various spaces in and out of haircare. It has made the true realities of what many could call a failed system clearer. Failed in its lack of formalisation, inability to lower barriers of formal entry as well as failure to acknowledge the underrepresentation of black women in the informal practice of hair care. We aim to be the “driver for change” to moving towards trying to cement various structural issues experienced in the informal haircare industry.