Businesswoman Fortunate Nkateko Khoza has rebuilt her Lufi Boutique – salon and day spa business after it was looted during xenophobic protests last year. Born and bred in Bushbuckridge, Mphumalanga Khoza has since managed to rebuild her shop Lufi D. She has also opened a branch of the store in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
The xenophobic protest has brought her shop in the Maboneng Precinct in the heart of Johannesburg CBD to a halt in September last year. The sassy Khoza caught up with Gauteng News to share her return to business.
“That was a difficult time for my business, and I am glad it passed. The damages caused last year took time and we were closed for months. It was not an easy decision to make, but it is something I am working towards fixing,” Khoza said.
Khoza is also a self-taught designer who established her brand through her clothing line, Lufi-D in 2014. She said that she has discovered her natural born talent during her teenage years.
“I was in boarding school as a teen. And the one thing I would consistently be able to do effortlessly and with pure joy was hair,” Khoza said.
Services such as manicures/ pedicures, professional make-up artists, hair salon, waxing and massages are offered at the salon. She has made it easy for her customers to finally have a beautiful space to relax, escape and legitimizes their right to indulge.
“Traditionally, we have often come to associate the salon as a place where the unavoidable time-consuming chore of maintenance and upkeep must be done. Considering the usual experience one must go through before and during our service; long waiting periods in uncomfortable spaces, with very little amenities.” Khoza said.
