Walking out of a salon or barber shop with your hair perfectly styled and groomed often leaves you with a sense of well-being and a spring in your step.
Unfortunately, this is a treat many people, especially the elderly living off a meagre pension or grant, simply cannot afford. This is where Warren Theunis, well-known on social media as Mr Barber SA, comes in. He often sets off in his minivan that has been converted into a mobile barber shop complete with reclining barber chair to cut the hair of the elderly, many of whom cannot afford this simple luxury.
Serving the elderly through his Groomed for Change programme, said Warren, leaves him with an unequalled sense of having made a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.
“I love serving our seniors. It’s what I would love to do for the rest of my life if I didn’t have bills to pay,” he stated.
“A world that doesn’t only care for the elderly, but does it willingly and with enthusiasm, is the world I wish to live in, one I hope for, a world I pray for.”
The stories and life lessons the elderly share when they make themselves comfortable in his chair, Theunis stated, is reward enough.
“One man whose hair I cut asked me if I knew what is wrong with the world today. He then told me it’s because people don’t love each other anymore.
“It just summed everything up for me because if you love someone, you will respect them and care for them, you won’t hurt or harm them in anyway.”
The experienced tradesman, who has his own barber shop in the Markham retail outlet in the Golden Acre shopping centre in Cape Town, has been going out to communities across the Cape Metropole to cut seniors’ hair for free for the past five years despite very little sponsorship.
He is also part of the annual Heart FM 16 Days for Youth drive that sees employees of the radio station going out into communities along with volunteers from various fields to make a positive change in the lives of the youth.
Recently, Theunis packed up his equipment and his van for his “first trip over the mountain” to cut the elderly of Hawston’s hair free of charge.
Why Hawston?
It’s an urge he cannot explain.
“I’ve always wanted to do an outreach project outside Cape Town. Hawston just popped into my mind and I couldn’t shake it. I mentioned it to a regular whom I hadn’t seen in months and he connected me with councillor Elnora Gillion.”
Despite the obstacles such as his van breaking down the week before his scheduled trip, things worked out and the amiable barber set off for the Overberg, where he was welcomed by Bishop Jan Gelderblom, who presented him with a box of firewood when he discovered he would be camping out at Onrus Caravan Park in his minivan.
Gelderblom also made the premises of the Sjechinah church available for Warren to set up at, offering free haircuts to men aged 60 and older.
Although only a few people showed up, said Warren, he was satisfied with the outcome.
“A little bit of pampering goes a long way. It’s something simple that restores hope that there are people who care. It is something you can’t package and that is why I get into my minibus and go out into the communities.
“Anyone can do this in their own way in their communities to show some love and respect and make life just that little bit easier for others,” he stated.
Theunis now hopes to be able to visit different communities within the Overberg on a quarterly basis to offer free haircuts to the elderly.
Anyone who would like to collaborate with him by offering their services free of charge – for example a hairdresser who would cut women’s hair – or donate money or food that can be distributed on the day, can visit the Mr Barber SA Facebook page, the website (www.mrbarbersa.co.za) or send an email to info@mrbarbersa.co.za for more information.
