Veteran Barber Still Going Strong

By Lekopanye Mooketsi
Correspondent | Monday March 17, 2008 00:00

 

Though he operates from a shelter built by the council at the station, his scissors and shears have shaved the rich and the famous. They include the Speaker of the National Assembly, Patrick Balopi, Chief Justice Julian Nganunu and cabinet minister, Ponatshego Kedikilwe. However, Nkanga says these customers no longer come for his services. 'I don't know where Balopi is. He has disappeared,' he says. Nkanga says he once trimmed cabinet minister, Daniel Kwelagobe's beards which was his trademark in the old days. He recalls that Kwelagobe never believed in shaving his face. He says Kwelagobe's son, Itseng and his brother used to be his customers. There were also old radio personalities who used to patronise Nkanga's salon like the late Totang Motsholathebe, Rebaone Mookodi, Douglas Moeketsi and Bishy Mmusi. Another of his prominent customers was Gobe Matenge, a former top civil servant. Nkanga used to discuss a variety of issues with his customers. They would chat while he is doing their hair.

However, despite the social standing of some of Nkanga's customers, they still paid him ordinary rates for a haircut. There are no formalities and his VIP customers do not have to make an appointment when they want a hair cut. One famous customer that has never abandoned Nkanga is Ophaketse 'Uncle Parks' Gaobakwe. The flamboyant tycoon is still doing his haircuts at the station where he mingles with ordinary people from all walks of life. The 66-year-old Nkanga also attends to younger customers and can do any stylish cut. 

The veteran barber started his trade in 1961 when it was not fashionable to become a barber. But by then there were no hair salons. 'I have never done anything else in my life,' he says. After moving from his home village of Mapoka, he started operating at Old Naledi, which was a squatter camp in the 1960s. Most people who staying at the camp were construction workers. 'I wanted to do something so that I do not depend on other people forever,' says, Nkanga who has a physical disability. The most popular hairstyle in the 1960s, was known as bimboko in which a chunk of hair would be left protruding just above the forehead.

When he was still at Old Naledi, he learnt that there were other barbers operating from the station. He decided to move to the station where there were more customers. He says they used to work under a morula tree next to the railway station. He recalls that they were moved from the morula tree because it was too close to the market. They occupied a nearby spot but then thieves started troubling them. Nkanga says some boys used to rob them at the new spot and the barbers were only relieved when the council built them a shelter.

After moving to the council structure, business improved. The advent of hair salons and street barbers has hit Nkanga's business hard. Some of his customers have moved to salons where hygienic conditions are better. The younger streetwise barbers are stealing business from under his eyes.

But Nkanga does not intend to quit even though by his own admission business is not good. He fears that if he stops working, nobody would feed him. From his humble business, Nkanga has raised three children. However, the children are staying with their mother because she is not married to the barber.

While some of his age mates are contemplating retirement, no such thoughts have crossed his mind.

Nkanga says when he came to Gaborone in 1961, most parts of the city were bush. He watched the city grow to what it is today. 

Nkanga is more familiar with Gaborone than any other town in the country. 'If a war breaks out, I know where to take cover in Gaborone.'

Though he has stayed for long in Gaborone, he does not own a plot in the city. He is renting a house in Gabane. He once bought a plot in Mogoditshane but lost it because it was not properly allocated to the owner. Hence like others, Nkanga's house was razed by the 'Yellow Monster'.