Everyone, including the rich and famous, needs a good hairdresser, and Makhumalo’s Hair and Beauty Salon was a preferred choice for most of Harare’s elite.
The secret to this salon is simple – the staff are trained to make sure every single customer leaves one hundred per cent satisfied. Mrs Kuala (one of the clients) testifies that whenever she has finished having her hair done she walks out of the beauty salon feeling like a white woman!
The book is an eye-catching, controversial debut, filled with comedy and drama. The Hairdresser of Harare diverts the audience’s imagination into a world that is fun but thought-provoking.
It’s an interesting read and also ignites thoughts about the African economy as a whole, as when you finish reading this book you will find it very difficult to picture the image of a dying Zimbabwe, which is often portrayed in the Western media.
Tendai Huchu (born in Zimbabwe) dropped out of school during the middle of his first term after discovering that maths had more letters and symbols than it did numbers! Tendai then went on to become the author of The Hairdresser of Harare and is also a qualified podiatrist.

by Tendai Huchu