- Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s was granted R50 000 bail on charges of corruption and money laundering.
- A raid allegedly revealed that she took R4.5 million and a wig in bribes.
- Wig specialist Cindy Khangale talks to us about how to spot an expensive wig.
A member of Parliament and speaker of the National Assembly being indicted on charges of corruption that involve a wig?
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been breaking news for the past week for being granted R50 000 bail after appearing at the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 4 April 2024, on charges of corruption and money laundering.
According to a statement issued by National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) investigating directorate spokesperson Henry Mamothame, the NPA “brought the 12 charges of corruption and one of money laundering against Ms Mapisa-Nqakula following investigations into allegations that during her tenure as the Minister of Defence, in the period between 2016 and 2019, she allegedly solicited an amount of approximately R4.5 million, of which R2.1 million was received in cash.”
Along with these outrageous solicited amounts, it’s alleged that Nosiziwe took a wig in bribes over a three-year period as defence minister, which was found during a raid on her home on 19 March.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqukula, allegedly received bribes totalling R4.5-million in hard cash. Someone allegedly paid a cool R2-million bribe in hard cash which was delivered at her house in Bruma, east of Johannesburg, on September 6, 2018.
— Mzilikazi wa Afrika (@IamMzilikazi) March 25, 2024
Who is… pic.twitter.com/wxSK9a9vQR
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While the case is expected to be back in court on 4 June 2024, we can’t help but wonder what this mysterious wig might be that could warrant Nosiviwe jeopardising her career and livelihood for.
There is no shame in donning hair pieces or extensions to protect one’s natural hair or go for a different look. But there is shame in being indicted in a court for alleged unlawful possession of such.
While there is little information on the type or quality of wig that was found during the search and seizure of Nosiviwe’s home, we’re here to give you expert tips to spot an expensive wig without you having to look over your shoulder in fear of the law.
TRUELOVE spoke to Cindy Khangale, a wig specialist and owner of Midrand-based wig retailer and customiser Luna Luxury Hair, who gave us everything to know about high quality wig.
Which wig is it anyway?
Different wig types serve a different purpose for whatever style you’re going for.
Being able to differentiate between types like lace fronts, synthetic or human hair wigs is the first step in deciding which works for you.
“There [are] so many options available, often distinguished by ‘grades’. In my opinion, after testing several hair vendors over the past four years, I can firmly say hair grades do not exist,” Cindy explains.
“What matters is asking whether the hair is 100 percent virgin human hair, is it a synthetic blend or human hair blend. Some vendors use grades to make customers think that each one is even more purer than the other but it’s just the same hair repackaged or processed even more. The quality of your hair as a business depends on where you source it and how it’s sourced and that’s about it.”
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Signs to look for in a high-quality wig
Social media can be a double-edged sword. You can have countless retailers at your fingertips but not know which of whom to trust when it comes to quality.
Cindy says, “Do not be afraid to do thorough research on the company and previous clients before purchasing. Once received in person, the lace of the wig should be at least transparent or thin enough to blend onto your scalp when installed and the hair density should match the described density on the website or hair page as well as the length chart they use.”
Put your money where your mouth is
With there being so many wig retailers all over the country boasting their extensions as the best, it can be easy to fall into the trap of paying thousands of rands any wig.
Cindy agrees and advises, “Wigs are getting increasingly expensive by the day but I can assure you that there’s companies out there that offer good quality wigs without having to break the bank. I would say from 10 inches a good quality wig should be about R2000. This is measured on the basis that this wig will last you about two to three years with good care.
“We have clients that bought wigs since we launched in 2020 and till this day, they message us and tell us that their wigs are still in amazing condition. So, it’s not about the grade or price, it’s truly about the company you choose to supply you and their reviews from past customer experience. Also taking good care of your wigs is one step to having them last a super long time as they are human hair after all.”
