April 26, 2004
By Bontle Moeng
PICTURE Soweto and the image that comes to mind is of thousands upon thousands of people, rows upon rows of houses, trails of taxis in and out of the township.
And in Diepkloof, in the midst of the continuous buzz and hum of the crowds, is a small, quiet spot. This is the home of Roots Health and Beauty - the first health spa in the township.
Run by Thabang Kubheka, Roots Health and Beauty opened its doors in January 2002 to "provide a counter to the stressful environment of everyday life".
The décor of the health spa helps clients to relax. The outside walls are brown, white and black - a return to nature and to the colours of traditional African buildings. This sense of being removed from the fast pace of the city continues through to the reception area, where golden pictures of African animals hang on the clean white walls. Carpets, couches and curtains all follow the "back-to-nature" theme in leopard print.
Although only 28-years-old Kubheka has studied for a number of years and is qualified in the fields of somatology (skin care), iridology (looking at a person's eyes to assess health), reflexology (massaging the feet), herbology (using herbs to enhance health), nutrition and diet.
Now in its third year - "the first year was hard because I had to introduce a new concept to the community" - Kubheka says her aim is to encourage people to pay more attention to their health in a holistic way. "Using a health spa should be a lifestyle rather than simply a place to get a beauty treatment."
She offers clients a wide range of services from facials and manicures to mud wraps and massage, from advice on nutrition to techniques to combat stress. "We try and create a soothing environment for our clients," she says.
"We suggest various herbs, depending on their conditions, then we give the client a reflexology treatment on the feet or a shiatsu massage. We also check for high blood pressure, diabetes, gout, arthritis, acne and shingles." The centre also offers complementary treatments for chronic stress, joint problems, sore muscles, obesity and fatigue. "Of course, these treatments are meant to support - not replace - any medical treatments the clients may be on," she adds.
Key to good health, she believes, is a nutritious eating plan.
Determined to make Roots Health and Beauty a success, Kubheka ploughed all the money she had earned while working abroad into the Diepkloof spa. "I used the money I saved up while working in the US for five years." She also worked in London, where she gained experience in the health and beauty industry.
It was thanks to the South African Breweries Kickstart competition that Kubheka could expand her business. In August 2003 she was one of 12 Gauteng finalists in the Kickstart competition. "After a long selection process I was very fortunate to be chosen," Khubeka says. She had to submit business plans and convince a panel of judges that her ideas were worth pursuing. "I won R40 000 worth of equipment."
Through the competition, Kubheka managed buy an iriscope, a computer and put down a deposit on a company car. "Having to put together a plan and convince financial experts to back me helped me to acquire skills such as business administration, marketing and financial management."
Kubheka studied various courses at Success International Institute before travelling abroad for seven years, working in health and beauty spas in the UK and US. "The skills I acquired during the years I spent out of the country have benefited me - and now they can benefit the people of Soweto."
Soweto born Kubheka says that it was natural that she would bring the skills she had acquired back home. "The people here live very stressful lives and need to be able to access therapeutic treatments at an affordable price."
The first visit costs R410 and is the most comprehensive, including a consultation and a massage session such as a lymph drainage process. "The first consultation is the most important. A suitable diet plan is worked out for the client and it becomes their guideline towards a healthy lifestyle. The session usually lasts for two hours."
For subsequent consultations, clients can expect to pay R260 or less, depending on the treatment.
Kubheka currently employs four permanent consultants and two part-time helpers. She and her team spend the hours, when not working at Roots Health and Beauty, travelling around the country to see other clients. "I have a lot of clients in areas such as Harrismith, Lesotho and QwaQwa who travel to Soweto for sessions. They must have heard about my business through the radio commercials that I've done. I also visit these areas as I've already built up a customer base."
For this young woman Roots Health and Beauty is not the pinnacle of her achievements, but simply the first step. "I am hoping to open another branch, preferably in another province."
She plans to work harder, build up a bigger client base and one day own a health hydro. "I want my clients to be able to take some time out from the daily routines."
The Roots Health and Beauty spa is in Shop no 9, Ivan Khoza Shopping Centre, Old Potchefstroom Road, Diepkloof. Payment is by cash or cheque and an appointment is required.
Roots Health and Beauty is open from Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 8:30am to 3pm.
For more information contact Thabang Kubheka on 011 938 3013 or 072 277 9728.
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