TALKING HAIR WITH BUSI

Make-up artist Busi Johnson has been awarded by the annual #AfriKinkyRepYourCountry competition for embracing and showing off her natural hair. And because of this, STYLE was attracted by this element to her and roped her in in knowing all about her; natural African hair to be more specific.

She was unveiled as position two last Sunday in this competition and she received 1 013 votes, which were casted by people from all over the world since  the other Wednesday when the voting lines were open online. Johnson was one of 13 women from the different African countries to join.

She was competing against women from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Uganda, Malawi, Chad, Zambia and Congo. The finalists from the listed countries were selected after they submitted their pictures in natural hair to the #AfriKinkyRepYourCountry website.

The competition is an initiative by AfricansGoneNatural where natural hair divas from Africa are brought together to share information and style on keeping natural hair.

Her love for natural hair propelled her to stick to it since 2012 and she confesses to have loved every moment of it.
Having a chit-chat with her, this is what we learnt.

Who is Busi?

Sibusisiwe Dlamini-Johnson is a last born girl from KaNtunja in the Manzini Region. I am a teacher at Sifundzani High School and have been there for 17 years. I am a mother of dragons.
 I have three sons who are my pride and joy. My biggest responsibility in this world is to raise these boys into amazing extraordinary gentlemen. I love being a mum more than anything. I am also a singer, motivational speaker and makeup artist. I have been wearing make-up since high school and I was lucky to have parents who supported me when I expressed myself.

Besides the physical, what comprises a woman’s true beauty?
Physical beauty fades, a good heart and wonderful personality is forever. To me, a beautiful woman is one who cares about people, who isn’t self-centred, who isn’t selfish. A beautiful woman treats people with respect and is humble. A beautiful woman is compassionate and loving.

It is no secret that the hair is a woman’s crown.  Whats your take on that?
I agree. But she decides what kind of crown to wear. No one should dictate what it should look like besides her.

Natural hair vs Synthetic hair.  What’s your pick and why?
I have been natural since 2012 and it’s a decision I am so happy with. I have embraced my hair the way it grows out of my head. And it’s beautiful to see many girls at my school doing the same.
The number of naturalhaired girls rises every year.
I have nothing against queens who want to straighten or wear weaves because I was one of them at some point. It’s just not for me anymore. It doesn’t make you more African to have natural hair. It’s a choice you make.

You recently won the #AfriKinkyRepYourCountry competition... What motivated you to join?
It’s been an amazing opportunity for me. I entered at a whim and it took off. I honestly didn’t expect to get as many votes as I got. Eswatini stood up and supported me. Even though I didn’t bring the crown home, the support and love has been amazing. I always tell my ‘Sifu’ babies that don’t pass up opportunities. Sometimes they come once in a lifetime, even if you don’t win, the experience is something you can take with you forever.

How can an African lady nurture her hair?
I get questions often about haircare. And the answer I always give is that we should listen to our hair. Give it what it needs. If you hair is dry, then you need moisture. If it’s breaking, you need strengthening treatments. If it’s too elastic and snaps you are using too much protein. Once your understand what you hair needs, and you give it what it needs, it will be happy and it will grow.

How can an African lady with soft hair make it thick?
Jamaican Black Castor Oil. This thick oil helps hair grow thick. Use it to also grow your edges.

Why natural hair?
It’s a matter of preference.

Any words of advice... (fashion/hair/beauty/confidence) to the African girl child.
Do what makes you happy. Don’t copy others to fit in and look a certain why. You won’t be able to keep up with them. Do you. Be you. You are beautiful just the way you are.

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