Leticia Kuda Mupawose’s passion for hair started long ago and extended beyond the usual braiding of other people’s hair. Addressing the root causes of hair challenges and restoring hair health, fulfils her deeply.
Now the founder of Feso Africa, Mupawose, known as Dr Kuda, found her calling as a trichologist, aligning with her childhood aspirations and finding her life’s purpose in haircare.
This mother of three children was born in the former Transkei to activist parents. Her father is Zimbabwean and her mother is South African.
She recalls that in grade 9, she wanted to be a nun. “My father threatened to take me out of school if I continued, so I stopped the process.”
Embarking on a journey
Mupawose says she hated seeing people suffer and would pray for them, which grew into a desire to support people at every step of their lives.
“Unfortunately, growing up with this character, I learnt the hard way how people could abuse your goodness or misunderstand your intentions to help,” she says. However, she adds, “Having parents linked to the liberation struggles of South Africa and Zimbabwe grounded me.”
At 18, after completing matric, Mupawose pursued studies in pharmacology and toxins in the USA, where she later worked for a pharmaceutical company.
Despite her scientific pursuits, her passion for hair remained strong. By the age of 23, she returned to Zimbabwe and South Africa for business and hair research and made the bold decision to leave her job in the USA to follow her heart into the world of hairdressing.
“Hair has always been a part of me, even as I aspired to many other things.”
Dr Kuda Mupawose
During college, she honed her skills by braiding other students’ hair and earning extra income.
Today, Mupawose operates hair loss clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe, Durban and Johannesburg.
“I love the new discoveries every day about how much our hair can reveal about our internal health.”
The science behind hair health
Mupawose says, “My passion for trichology stems from my years as a hairdresser, and I have always been fascinated by the science behind hair.”
She explains the impact of an unhealthy scalp on the condition of your hair.
“If your scalp is unhealthy, it can have a direct and significant impact on your hair health. Over the years, I witnessed the devastating effects of hair loss and various scalp conditions on my patients.”
While she wanted to help people, her knowledge as a hairdresser on these issues was fairly limited, and her clients were receiving confusing and misleading advice from the internet and other healthcare professionals, Mupawose explains.
“I was motivated by this, and I began my journey to become a trichologist.”
She studied trichology at the United States Institute of Trichology from 2019 to 2022.
The key lies in educating yourself about your hair type, she says. How your texture absorbs water, and what factors can affect your hair in terms of styling or treatments.
All types of hair are prone to breakage and damage, she notes, but oily hair is particularly susceptible to certain diseases and conditions.
According to Mupawose, African women, in general, subject their hair to chemical treatments such as straightening and relaxing, which modify the structure of their hair shaft, making it more susceptible to damage.
Hair loss among African women
Hair loss affects many women of African descent, yet it often remains hidden in silence, Mupawose expresses.
Traction alopecia is a specific type of hair loss that results from prolonged tension and pulling of the hair follicles. It is commonly associated with hairstyles that involve tight braids, weaves, or extensions, she further explains.
“Women of African descent, who often wear these styles to enhance their natural beauty, are particularly susceptible to the condition.”
She says what’s truly eye-opening is that hair loss among women of African descent might be even higher than reported.
“In my two decades working in this industry, what I have found is that the topic surrounding hair loss is one that is often shrouded in silence and secrecy, preventing many women from seeking help and understanding.”
Crowned for success
Mupawose recently published a book titled “There’s a Pencil in My Hair”. She says this book is dedicated to the resilient ones who have endured the injustice of the pencil test.
“I hope to provoke meaningful discussions on racial discrimination and identity struggles, ultimately fostering greater understanding and unity.”
She is an alumna of USA programmes AWEP (African Women Entrepreneur Program) and Women Entrepreneur – Finance Multipliers. She was also awarded the Most Improved SME in 1995 by Hivos/Barclays Small Business Unit and received the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) “Best Service Award” in 2014.
In 2010, Mupawose’s day spa in South Africa was named the best in Gauteng by the Who’s Who of Africa Forum. Status Magazine, The Jozi, True Love, Intem, Cosmopolitan, and Top Billing all voted the spa “the place to be” in Gauteng (2007-2011).
Her extensive career includes work as a celebrity hairdresser and initiating a makeover programme in True Love magazine with the then Beauty Editor, Ayanda Bhikitsha (2007-2011).
ALSO READ: Shea butter: Nature’s secret for healthy hair and glowing skin
Get the Health For Mzansi newsletter: Your bi-weekly dose of kasi health, wellness and self-care inspiration.
