By Zuko Komisa

- Lufuno Nemakonde, Managing Director of Funocurls Green Beauty, is revolutionising the South African hair industry by developing eco friendly hairpieces made from banana pseudostem fibre.
- The innovation, named EcoCurls, has secured government backing through the dtic’s Grassroots Innovation Facilitation Scheme to accelerate its path to commercialisation.
- Independent safety and quality testing is currently underway with the South African Bureau of Standards, whilst a processing facility is being established in Punda Maria-Makhuvha village.
Limpopo businesswoman and Medical Technologist Lufuno Nemakonde is set to disrupt the South African hair care sector with EcoCurls—a plant-based, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic extensions crafted from banana pseudostem fibre.
The innovation is advancing towards commercialisation with financial support from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (the dtic) Grassroots Innovation Facilitation Scheme, which aids rural and township enterprises. The products are currently undergoing quality testing by the South African Bureau of Standards.
“EcoCurls are plant-based and a potentially more sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic hairpieces. The innovation is in the development and validation stage. We are happy that the project is currently progressing towards commercialisation,” said Nemakonde.
In preparation for full-scale manufacturing, Nemakonde has secured factory premises in Punda Maria-Makhuvha village and collaborated with engineers to design specialised machinery tailored for fibre extraction.
The facility is expected to stimulate local economic growth by utilizing the region’s abundant banana crops and creating new job opportunities.
Funocurls Green Beauty originally launched by blending indigenous botanical knowledge with scientific formulation. The brand currently produces hair, skin, and body care items using native ingredients like moringa, marula, baobab, and Kalahari melon, alongside offering contract manufacturing services and participating in international trade expos supported by the dtic.
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