Uniting beauty and education

Tunohole Mungoba

An institution for growth

The Zone visited Shadonai Beauty and Hairdressing Academy in Pioneers Park to find out how they are providing different options to the Namibian youth that are interested in growing and learning in the beauty industry.

Established in 2006 with five students only, Shadonai has grown over the years with more than 200 learners enrolled for different courses that vary from nail technology, spa therapy and beauty therapy and the newly introduced course of fitness training. The academy’s mission is to ‘operate a recognised, well-known, multi-disciplinary training centre presenting registered and easy accessible courses.’ Shadonai will achieve the vision by providing world class education and training in vocationally aligned subjects areas. This will be achieved by a dedicated professional team of learning facilitators, world-class education and training material, learning programs which are accredited and practical vocational learning programs.

“We have had a lot of interest in from young men that are very interested as they would like to be professional fitness trainers,” says Lesch. “We also have short part time based courses. These courses are for everyone that is interested in expanding their knowledge. We do not discriminate and that is why we also introduced these short courses,” says Charlin Lesch, senior lecturer at the academy.

Lesch says funding has been one of their obstacles in the beginning and recruiting students. “We are also in continuous competition with South African institutions although we are internationally on par and cost effectiveness is better, we still need to challenge ourselves.” She also added that the reason why the academy was established was to bridge the gap in the market for qualified beauticians. “We initially started with just beauty courses and then we decided to add a variety of options as well. There was no institution at that time that could offer these courses,” says Lesch. She also added that hairdressing is the course that is most demand “because it is more creative although it is very difficult.”

Shadonai is also the recruiting hub in Namibia for the Steiner cruise ship programme. The representatives for southern Africa come and do their interviews and presentations at the academy. “Up to date, we have had about 25 ex Shadonai students that were on the Steiner ship. That is something we are very proud of,” says Lesch. Their aim is not only to equip their students with skills, but also to empower them to be future employers. “We are very small in comparison to other beauty schools, but we believe that individual attention for each student is very important.” Lesch warned the youth about ‘fly by night’ colleges that offer different courses in the beauty industry. “You should make sure you choose an institution that will be able to able to provide you with quality education as what you learn is something you will have for life. You can build upon this qualification as you progress in life.”

Veronique Martopo, an ex-student and junior lecturer at the institution says their teaching methods are very theory-based “beauty is border line to knowing the body.” They also include practical teaching methods as their academy involves a lot of practise. “I finished my courses here so knowing the background of what is expected comes naturally for me. Martopo, also completed a nine months programme on the Steiner cruise ship. She has travelled to a lot of countries including the Bahamas and the Caribbean. “It was a very good experience as I learned cultural differences and it was also an eye-opener as I realised how behind Namibia is in the beauty industry,” she says.

Martopo told The Zone that there is also an interested from the male counterpoints. “A few years ago when I was a part time lecturer, I had a male student and he was one of my best massage therapy student.” Shadonai also graduated three barbers that are currently employed in various salons. “Although males are generally intimidated by the all-female industry, but they are more than welcome.”

The academy’s minimal admission requirements for diplomas are 25 points for grade 12 and certificates, one needs to get 23 points in grade 10. “We are not subject oriented, but it will be a lot easier if you had Biology in school as we focus a lot on anatomy of the body,” says Martopo. She also added that most people are very closed minded when it comes to beauty courses and negative towards someone in that career. “The word ‘beauty’ is very superficial so people tend to think all courses and professions in this industry are easy. We need to change that mind set and see this as an ordinary career like law and nursing.”

CJ Erasmus, a hairdressing student says she has always been interested in doing hair and growing up, she used to dress the hair of her dolls. “When I finished school, I told my mother that I wanted to come and study here.” She also said it is every hairdressing student’s dream to open their own salon in future so the academy provides them with the right training to be able to achieve that in future. Monique Damon, a beauty student and a part time model says she did not struggle to choose her course as she does her own make up for her modelling. “I was interested in knowing more about beauty so I felt like the beauty course was the best choice for me.” Damon also said she would like to study more after completing her course as “with beauty, one needs to constantly update yourself.”

“The word ‘beauty’ is very superficial so people tend to think all courses and professions in this industry are easy. We need to change that mind set and see this as an ordinary career like law and nursing.” - Veronique Martopo, an ex-student and junior lecturer at Shadonai Beauty and Hairdressing Academy