Hair has always been more than just a style choice; it’s a powerful marker of identity, culture and resistance. From the intricate braids passed down through generations to modern-day interpretations of traditional styles, the way we wear our hair is often a reflection of where we come from and how we see ourselves. Yet, with its cultural depth also comes controversy.
The history woven into every strand of our hair spans across generations. As conversations around ownership, authenticity and the blurred line between cultural appreciation and appropriation grow louder, how do we honour our roots while embracing evolution? Who do we turn to when we want to understand the layers beneath each style?
Introducing Bonolo Gabuza
Hairstylist to the stars and owner of Beezy Braids, Bonolo has worked with some of South Africa’s most influential personalities, and her hair journey has been both humbling and empowering.
“It started with a deep love for braids, not just as a hairstyle, but as a statement of who we are. Over the years, I´ve been trusted with the crowns of incredible women like Thandiswa Mazwai, Hulisani Ravele and Sthandiwe Kgoroge.” What draws people to her unique approach?
“I believe people are drawn to my work because it´s never just about looking good for the night;
it´s about telling a story, celebrating our heritage and protecting the health of our hair. I treat each head like a sacred space, honouring the beauty, the history and the energy it carries.”
Bonolo’s approach to styling is rooted in storytelling, which begins with the person in her chair, “Who they are, what they´re stepping into and the message they want to carry. I always get a brief from my clients: Sometimes they want an exact recreation of an image, other times they give me a reference that I completely reinterpret into something inspired by it. Then, I add my personal touch to make it unique and meaningful.” One of her standout styling moments was Thandiswa Mazwai’s look for the GLAMOUR Most GLAMOURous Awards 2025. Speaking to this look, she shares that it had to be bold, unapologetic and deeply rooted in who Thandiswa is.
“Working with her is always an education, she teaches me about the differences between hairstyles in various tribes and helps me understand where different techniques come from.
With Sthandiwe Kgoroge, a passionate activist, I tapped into her love for African beauty and expression to create something that honours her spirit while carrying my own creative signature.”
At the heart of her work is heritage. Bonolo notes that African hair artistry is centuries old with techniques, patterns and meanings passed down through generations. “When I style, I´m not only thinking about aesthetics or trends, I'm committed to preserving the health of the hair and honouring the crown. Every braid, twist, and bead is intentional, carrying both cultural weight and personal meaning.” To honour hair’s powerful symbolism in, she shares that hair, for her, is spiritual. “It´s more than beauty, it carries energy. From just one strand, or by placing my hands on someone´s head, I can feel part of their story and sometimes I even carry that energy with me. That´s why I´m intentional about my space, my energy, and my mindset when I work. I´m not only creating a style — I´m honouring the person, protecting their spirit and adding to the ongoing story of African beauty.”
Reflecting on some of the styles she’s created that felt especially meaningful, whether because of its cultural roots, who it was for, or the message it carried, she says, “The hairstyle I created for Thandiswa Mazwai’s album cover, Sankofa was the most meaningful because I learned about returning to one´s self through hair. While creating something exceptional for her album cover,
I discovered that “Sankofa” is a Ghanaian symbol meaning “go back and fetch it.” Enlightening that this concept emphasizes the importance of revisiting our roots to reclaim and honour our heritage. “This realisation made me more aware of the choices I make, especially hair-related choices. Hair is not just an aesthetic; it is a reflection of our identity and history. Through this experience, I understood that our hair carries the stories of our ancestors and the wisdom of the past, guiding us as we move forward.”
As a member of the creative industry and a custodian of heritage through hair, Bonolo shares that being entrusted with the honour of styling the crowns of some truly impactful women comes with the responsibility of nurturing those relationships as much as she values them. “When Thandiswa sits in my chair, I know I'll be inspired and educated. She shares knowledge about the cultural significance of different hairstyles and the tribes they come from. With Sthandiwe, our sessions are like an exchange of art and spirit, her love for African beauty pushes me to create in a way that honours her while pushing my own creative boundaries. Each client teaches me something new about heritage, artistry, and the responsibility I hold as a stylist.”
As we reflect on heritage, identity and legacy at the back of Heritage Month, Bonolo affirms that our hair is a living archive. “Every style, from braids to knots to beads carries stories that have survived migration, colonisation, and reinvention. When I style someone like Hulisani Ravele, I know I´m helping her carry a piece of our shared history into the present. Heritage lives in the patterns, the techniques and even in the way we protect and care for our hair." As someone who is part of a bigger hair conversation, Bonolo’s work continues to spark conversations around the recognition of Black beauty, traditional aesthetics and modern expression. Weighing in, she says her wish is for African hair to be respected and loved, “not just by others, but by us. I want us to be one with our hair, to speak positivity into it and to see it for what it truly is: powerful. Our hair is like a tree, its roots run long and deep, telling the story of where we come from. I hope my work inspires pride, curiosity and connection to those roots, so we embrace not only the beauty of our hair but also the history and strength it carries.” With that said, how does Bonolo advise us to bring about the balance between trends with tradition? “By ensuring your work remains fresh but still rooted in something deeper. try to uphold the heritage of the hairstyle. To modernise it, we use curls and accessories to create a balance between past and present styles, always with respect.”
For Bonolo, tradition is her foundation and trends are her playground. “I draw from African traditional hairstyles from different regions, the ones that have stood the test of time and then layer in modern touches that feel current yet deeply connected to where we come from.” “Your hair is your crown, wear it with pride, protect it, and learn its history,” she says. “Speak love into it and honour it as part of who you are. To aspiring stylists: you are not “just doing hair” — you are a storyteller, a healer, and a keeper of culture. Respect the scalp, protect the energy you touch, and never be afraid to innovate. Our heritage is not a limit, it´s the most powerful starting point you´ll ever have.
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