Nolan Hartzenberg (61) took it upon himself to give children in the disadvantaged area of Ruyterwacht free haircuts as many returned to school.
Hartzenberg started this initiative of free haircuts because of the lack of father figures in many households.
And above all Hartzenberg says that Ruyterwacht has been and continues to be a neglected community with loads of hidden social ills.
“We are overlooked and not given the much-needed and necessary attention from our local government.”
Hartzenberg is retired and a community leader and activist since 2002, the year in which he moved to Ruyterwacht.
“I am a people person and an individual that stands up for social injustice.”
Hartzenberg is also part of an organisation called Ruyterwacht Action Group that does community projects.
“We were also responsible for calling a crime meeting in Ruyterwacht with the police and holding our councillor accountable,” Hartzenberg says.
The leaders of tomorrow
“I thought about how we can invest in our youth and somehow give them the much-needed push to excel in their schoolwork.”
According to Hartzenberg, children are the leaders of tomorrow. The 61-year-old adds that scholars are most affected and their basic human rights to food and education are being violated daily.
Hartzenberg explains that a free haircut provides scholars with a sense of human dignity and much-needed confidence in the youth, and this will also minimize the risk of bullying that many scholars endure.
He says that “when you feel good, you do good”.
This initiative started last year and is done during every school holiday. Especially the weeks leading to a new term or new academic year.
A sustainable project
Hartzenberg advertised his services via social media and WhatsApp groups and to his surprise more than 40 children showed up both in primary- and high school and even crèche.
“It is a sustainable project that has been growing in time and we ask for other barbers to please volunteer their time and assist as we normally have a big attendance”.
Hartzenberg and his team will continue with these haircuts every term.
