"Progressing Towards Commercialisation": Limpopo Woman Makes Hairpieces From Banana Plants
- Lufuno Nemakonde, a Limpopo businesswoman, developed EcoCurls, a hairpiece made from banana pseudostem fibre as a sustainable alternative to synthetic hair
- Nemakonde's innovation received government backing and has been submitted to the South African Bureau of Standards for independent testing
- She has already secured factory space in her village and is awaiting specialised machinery built to her exact specifications
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Source: UGC
A Limpopo entrepreneur is on the verge of shaking up the South African hair industry — not with synthetic fibres, but with banana plants.
Lufuno Nemakonde, Managing Director of Funocurls Green Beauty, has developed a plant-based hairpiece she calls EcoCurls, made from banana pseudostem fibre. The innovation, which she described as a potentially more sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic hairpieces, is currently in its development and validation stage and moving closer to commercialisation. Nemakonde told SA News:
"EcoCurls are a plant-based and potentially more sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic hairpieces. We are happy that the project is currently progressing towards commercialisation."
Government backs the EcoCurls vision
The South African Bureau of Standards has received EcoCurls for independent testing, and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has recognised the innovation. Nemakonde was approved for funding through the Grassroots Innovation Facilitation Scheme, a programme specifically designed to support entrepreneurs in rural and township areas bringing their ideas to market.
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She has already secured factory space in Punda Maria-Makhuvha village, where Funocurls Green Beauty is based, and is waiting on specialised machinery being custom-built to meet the unique processing requirements of 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."
From medical technologist to Green Beauty founder
Nemakonde's path to becoming a beauty innovator is rooted in both science and heritage. Trained as a Medical Technologist, she merged the indigenous plant knowledge passed down by her grandmother with her formal scientific background to launch Funocurls Green Beauty.
The company produces plant-based hair, skin and body-care products using indigenous botanicals including moringa, marula, baobab and Kalahari melon, selling to local customers, beauty parlours and hair salons, while also offering contract and private-label manufacturing services.
Nemakonde has represented her brand at international trade exhibitions in Egypt, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with support from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
With banana plants growing in abundance around her village, she sees EcoCurls as more than a business opportunity. It is a way to transform her community.
Read the full story here:
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Source: Briefly News
