Phuti Elisa Matsaung: Starting Under the Tree, Building a Dream

Who I Am

My name is Phuti Elisa Matsaung. I am 24 years old, a simple dlozi girl from a rural village called Gamothiba Ngwanamago outside Polokwane.

I am a mother to a beautiful 4-year-old daughter, and I come from a disadvantaged family where we depend on my father's SASSA pension grant.

I work from home, under a shadow tree.

I have a passion and skills for everything related to beauty — braiding hair, face painting, makeup, and selling wigs for someone who inspires me every day.

I am currently attending haircutting skills training at Masekela Training Solution in town.

How It All Started

Everything started as a joke.

Braiding was always one of my hobbies, but I never took it seriously before. Now I realise I love to build confidence and make others feel their best through my service.

Selling wigs was always something I wished to do because I love to wear wigs myself. I love to feel beautiful, and I love to see and build confidence in other girls.

Face painting also started as a joke.

I painted rainbow shades on my own face. Everyone who saw me loved it and said I should do it for kids at parties and fundays.

My cousin Martin, who is a photographer, said, "I love this, let me take your picture and post it."

I did it a second time and everyone loved it even more. Children loved it, and that inspired me to start doing face painting at fundays and birthday parties.

On the makeup side, I grew up loving to do it on my own face. It makes me feel confident and more beautiful.

I am not saying I am not beautiful or that I don't have confidence, but makeup makes me feel my best.

More Than What People See

Matsaung Phuti Elisa from Gamothiba Ngwanamago was all I knew about myself.

Many people discouraged me. They told me it's not enough to build a big business, especially because I come from a disadvantaged family and we don't have connections.

But I believe that small beginnings can lead to big things if you stay consistent.

What Motivates Me

What motivates me is bigger than hair, makeup and painting.

It's the young girl in my kasi who thinks she needs thousands to start.

I want to be proof that you can start with a skill, build trust, and grow into a brand.

I want to build a salon that is not just about beauty, but about jobs, training other girls, and bringing pride to our community.

I am still growing, learning and improving every day, but I am not waiting to be perfect.

I am starting now, under my tree, with what I have.

My Humble Plug — What I Am Looking For

I am looking for any plug or help that can help me grow my small business from under the tree into something big.

I am looking for:

• Money to grow my business — small funding or startup capital.
• Supplies — wigs stock to sell on my own, braiding hair, makeup kits, face painting kits and kids' party chairs.
• Free training for women in business — how to become professional, how to price, how to keep books and how to get a certificate.
• Someone to help me share my story so I can become visible and known in Polokwane and beyond.
• Any donations, mentorship or any kind of help — even advice.

I don't have much, but I have hands that work, a skill that people love, and a heart that wants to work hard.

If you can help me with training, stock or sharing my work, you are helping a young mother build a future for her daughter and for other girls in Gamothiba.

I am starting now, under my tree, with what I have.

About Phuti's Magic Touch

Phuti's Magic Touch is a multi-service beauty business based in GaMothiba Ngwanamago, Stand 30085, outside Polokwane.

According to the information provided by Phuti, her services include:

Hair & Braiding

• Hair braiding
• Hair washing
• Hair relaxing
• Various braid styles
• Artificial dreadz
• Fish bone
• Knotless
• Tribal
• Lemonade styles

Makeup & Face Painting

Phuti offers makeup services and kids' party and event face painting.

Her face-painting information includes private parties, day bookings and festival/community-event options.

Wigs

Phuti also sells wigs, including:

• Headband wigs
• Full frontal wigs
• Water wave frontal wigs
• 16"–20" frontal options

Layby is available over two months, according to the information provided.

Appointments

Appointments are prioritised, while walk-ins are welcome depending on availability.

Location

GaMothiba Ngwanamago, Stand 30085
Polokwane area

Contact Phuti