As part of our Black in the Middle East series, African Expats Magazine is honoured to share the inspiring story of Thuli, a profoundly deaf South African woman who has built a thriving life and business in Dubai through her skill, resilience, and unwavering spirit.
“It’s easier than most people think. Even if we don’t speak the same language, gestures help a lot, and I understand them. We also use pictures and text messages. We always find a way to connect.”
Thuli
Thuli, your story is incredibly inspiring. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself. Where you’re from and what brought you to Dubai?
I’m from South Africa, and I’m profoundly deaf. My brother had already been living in Dubai for over eight years. One day, he met a salon owner and told her about my passion for braiding. They arranged to bring me here, and for that, I will always be deeply grateful. 
How did you discover your passion for braiding, and when did you realize it could become a career?
As a child, I dreamed of becoming a teacher; either teaching English within the deaf community or teaching Sign Language to hearing communities. But due to financial challenges, I couldn’t afford to attend college, so I had to put that dream aside. Braiding, however, has always been one of my hidden talents. I’ve been doing it since I was little. Eventually, I chose to turn it into a career, and it’s been nearly ten years now.
I also applied many times for teaching jobs in Dubai and Sharjah but was often rejected once they discovered I was deaf. For a long time, I blamed myself for not speaking up or educating people more about what deaf people are capable of. Then, recently, I was contacted by a company looking for a Sign Language instructor. Ironically, it was the same company that had rejected me four years earlier because of my deafness, but they didn’t remember. When I reminded them, they apologized…and rejected me again.
But this time, I chose not to stay silent. I explained my journey in a way that made them pause and reflect. They invited me to do a teaching demonstration. We connected, and I got the job. Today, I proudly work as both a hair braider and a Sign Language instructor.
Congratulations, Thuli, on this exciting new chapter in your professional journey. What motivated you to transition from working in salons to offering home-service braiding? What sparked that decision, and how has it changed your work experience?
I worked for beauty companies for five years. During that time, I learned a lot, but I had no freedom and earned very little. I was working 14 hours a day, six days a week, with no time to rest, and I could hardly save money.
Over time, clients began asking for my number and requesting that I do their hair at home. At first, I was hesitant, but eventually I said yes.
Word spread quickly, and my bookings increased. Before I knew it, I was earning more from home services than I ever did in the salon. So I took the risk, left the salon, started promoting myself, and never looked back.
How do you communicate with your clients to understand the styles they want?
It’s easier than most people think. Even if we don’t speak the same language, gestures help a lot, and I understand them. We also use pictures and text messages. We always find a way to connect.
What has been the most beautiful experience you’ve had working with clients in Dubai?
Being able to move around the city, explore different neighborhoods, meet families, and learn about new cultures and religions. It’s been a beautiful experience. Through this work, I’ve built meaningful friendships. That, to me, is the real reward.
What challenges have you faced as a deaf woman running a business, and how have you turned them into strengths?
Thanks to my education, I’m able to navigate life independently.
The biggest challenges come from systems that still rely heavily on phone calls, like hospitals or customer service. There’s still a lack of deaf awareness in many areas. But in those moments, I choose to educate. I advocate, and I help others understand. That’s how I turn obstacles into opportunities.
What does braiding mean to you personally, culturally, and spiritually?
I went to a boarding school for the deaf in South Africa called St. Dominic’s. During breaks, we would braid each other’s hair. We didn’t go to salons as braiding was our way of expressing creativity and sisterhood.
To me, braiding is tradition. It’s art. It’s love passed down through generations and through our hands.
How has living in Dubai shaped your journey and your dreams?
Dubai has humbled me. It’s a fast-paced, innovative, and incredibly diverse city. It has challenged me to grow, dream bigger, and become more open-minded. The energy here pushes me forward.
What would you say to other African women with disabilities who are afraid to start a business or move abroad?
- You are more powerful than you think!
- Your disability is not a weakness, it’s part of your strength!
- Starting something new or moving abroad can be scary, but growth lives on the other side of fear.
- Start with what you have, where you are.
- Believe in yourself even when it’s hard.
- When you rise, you help others rise too.
What are your dreams for the future? Would you like to open your own salon, train others, or create a hair brand?
Yes, I dream of opening my own salon, one that celebrates natural beauty and promotes Sign Language awareness. I want it to be a space where women with disabilities feel seen, valued, and empowered.
I also want to train others in braiding and, one day, launch a hair care line that is inclusive, high-quality, and proudly African.
This journey is just beginning, and I’m so excited for what lies ahead.
Thank you, Thuli, for sharing your amazing journey with us. Your voice is powerful, and your story is a true testament to resilience, talent, and purpose.
Contact Thuli on Instagram: @African_hairstylist_in_dubai
