Hairspiration: Lotus Kyamba

Every Tuesday will be what I call “Hairspiration Tuesday”. Every week I will try to bring one natural beauty from close home, whom we can all find inspiration from in our natural hair journey. If you have a hairspiration you would like us to feature, please don’t forget to email us at naturaltoto@gmail.com or drop us a line at either our Facebook page or Twitter handle.

Well, to start us of, she goes by the name of Lotus Kiyamba from Tanzania, you may have seen her on the popular TV station EATV.  She hosts the show Nirvana, which is all about fashion and lifestyle. She is also a professional dancer.

Lotus describes herself as: "I am natural and I am just myself, very energetic, funky and love to have fun. Creativity is within me, when it comes to action, my favourite is dancing".

Lotus is my all time favourite Natural Hair Sistah! Why?

First of all in a demanding job, with an image perception expected by most people, she sets her rules and she is the first Natural hair TV host I know of in the whole of East Africa. And she has been so consistently for the past 2yrs I have known her on TV. Presenting a show which deals with beauty in Africa where 99% of people you will come to contact with are wearing weaves and what not must take a strong heart to not also be pulled into that world.

Second reason I love Lotus, is that she always keeps it fresh, experiments with different styles, cuts and colour. There is always something about her hair and her personality which is always popping. From afros, mohawk, cornrows, braids, Lotus has done it all and keep inventing and reinventing her style.

And third reason, is because as a public figure in a TV station that is widely watched,  she has the role of being a role model and influencer on many young girls. And by her staying natural then she will teach young girls and boys that it is okay to be you. It’s okay to rock natural hair and being black, having kinky hair does not make you any less beautiful!

From following nirvana in and out, she has shown how she gets some of her hairstyles done, and has even pointed to the salon she goes to, one called Abyssinia run by a beautiful Ethiopian sista, and some sexy dude and this guys are at the top of their game when it comes to styling natural hair. I personally, don’t know of any salon in Kenya that deals with or is READY! to deal with natural hair expect for shingling and locking. If you do, kindly let me know.

But for now, way to go Lotus! Uko Juu tu Sana!