Being a barber is in his blood and for the 17-year-old third-generation barber from Art’s Barber Shop in Ida’s Valley having a pair of clippers in his hand is second nature to him.
Shuaib Biscombe, son of renowned local barber Faizel Biscombe, recently put his skills to the test and was crowned as the winner in the Young Blood category at the Barber Battle SA Kings & Queens Competition in Cape Town on 17 July.
This accolade is no surprise to the community as he hails from a lineage of barbers. But for Shuaib it was special for it was his first attempt, and he was very nervous.
“My father told me to enter, so I thought why not?” he said. “I was pleasantly surprised because I did not expect to win. There were a lot of very experienced and good barbers, but I am very happy I did.
“One is judged on many things, such as safety measures, tools and techniques, all the while one is timed. It was a great experience.”
Faizel says Shuaib showed interest in cutting hair at a very young age, and at 9 years old he could already cut his grandfather Fuaad’s hair.
“I always wondered who would take over from me one day,” he said, “for the barber shop and skills were passed on to me by my father.
“I hoped it would one day be one of my sons,” and when Shuaib told me he would like to follow in my footsteps I was very happy. My father taught me and now it is my privilege to teach my son.”
This Grade 11 learner at Lückhoff High School, now fondly known as Mr Barber, says he would like to expand the family barber one day.
“I first want to study business management after school and come back to transfer that knowledge to grow the business,” he said.
“And, hopefully one day also pass the legacy my grandfather passed on to my father and my father to me on to my children. I would also like to teach other young people the skill of cutting hair to help create positive change in our communities.”
Art’s Barber Shop was started by Fuaad in 1963 and passed down to Faizel when he retired.
