A Parkwood beauty queen and salon owner is giving former drug addicts in her community a second chance.
Miss Drag SA 2019 finalist, Chante Herries, has taken 15 ladies from a safe house under her wing for free hairdresser training.
Chante, 35, owns the Heavenly Hair Studio in Parkwood, and her students are all from a drug rehabilitation centre.
The ladies, aged 16-45, all have a history of drug abuse, with some even disowned by their families.
Chante is deeply involved in helping the youth of Parkwood with her Foundation for Positive Change, and to break the cycle of violence, drugs and gangsterism through life and skills training programmes.
“Having to see the hopeless sense of worth has driven me to become a testament of inspiration, hope and success,” says Chante.
She has opened her salon to the women and girls for a six-month practical and theory course for three days a week.
BEAUTY QUEEN: Chante Herries Miss Drag SA 2019 finalist. Photo: Jack Lestrade/Daily Voice
The women are taught how to wash hair in a salon basin, how to chemically treat and blow dry the hair, how to apply hair dye properly while using protective gear and how to style hair with a straightener.
They are also taught how to do nails, facials and massages and when Daily Voice was at the salon, some of the girls were busy with clients while others sat with books and pens, making notes.
“Here we don’t only learn about doing hair, facials and massages, they also get prepared on how to conduct themselves during job interviews which they will be going for after this course,” Chante explains.
Cara-Lee Adriaans, 33, was on drugs for 17 years and has been clean for five weeks since joining the Foundation for Positive Change.
Her face lights up when it’s her turn to use the hair dryer.
“My mother couldn’t handle me anymore,” she says of her drug abuse.
“Five weeks ago I started with this programme and I’ve never looked back.
“I always wanted to go into hairdressing. Chante opened up a whole new world of appreciation for me and the rest of the girls.”
Mom of one, Tatum-Lee Absalom, 21, says she has gained faith in
herself.
“A week ago I was on drugs and things looked bleak, but here I am on day one with Chante and I feel so much positivity and faith in myself,” she says.
Tatum-Lee Absalom
The salon has only two hair dryers and two hair-straighteners.
“I have 15 girls and most of the time they have to wait for each other to get to their turn.
“So because of the lack of equipment, I try to get in mentors to lecture them also,” says Chante.
LECTURE: Learners take notes from Chante. Photo: Jack Lestrade/Daily Voice
The salon needs equipment like bobby pins, hair dye, combs, cover sheets, curlers, clips, more hairdryers as well as stationery, as the girls also get homework.
If you would like to assist, please call Chante on 071 672 8483.