In the village of Punda Maria-Makhuvha in Limpopo, an idea as bright as it is green is taking root. Lufuno Nemakonde, Managing Director of Funocurls Green Beauty, is developing hairpieces made from banana pseudostem fibre – a plant-based alternative to synthetic hair that she has aptly named EcoCurls.
“EcoCurls are plant-based and potentially more sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic hairpieces. The innovation is in the development and validation stage. We are happy that the project is currently progressing towards commercialisation,” Nemakonde told SAnews.
Backed by the Bureau of Standards and the dtic
The EcoCurls hairpiece has been submitted to the South African Bureau of Standards for independent testing, an important step on the road to store shelves. The innovation has also earned a nod from the innovation and technology section of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), and Nemakonde has been approved for funding through the Grassroots Innovation Facilitation Scheme, which helps innovators from rural areas and townships commercialise their ideas.
Her confidence is contagious. She has already secured factory space for her processing plant and is awaiting delivery of specialised machinery being developed specifically for processing banana pseudostem fibre.
“I had to sit down with the engineers and painstakingly explain the types of machines that will make my dream come true. I am confident that they will come up with something that will turn this place into a successful production plant manufacturing environmentally friendly hairpieces from the banana plants that are in abundance in our area, creating job opportunities in the process,” she said.
Science meets grandmother’s wisdom
Nemakonde’s journey began at the meeting point of two worlds. A qualified Medical Technologist, she combined her scientific training with the indigenous knowledge of herbs she learnt from her grandmother, and Funocurls Green Beauty was born.
The company already manufactures plant-based hair, skin and body-care products using indigenous botanicals such as moringa, marula, baobab and Kalahari melon, selling to locals, beauty parlours and hair salons, and offering contract and private-label manufacturing.
Flying the flag abroad
With the dtic’s assistance, Nemakonde has showcased her products at international trade exhibitions in Egypt, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia – proof that a village idea can travel the world.
If the validation process goes to plan, EcoCurls could soon put Limpopo at the forefront of sustainable beauty, turning a humble banana plant into jobs, pride and truly homegrown style.
Source: SAnews.gov.za
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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