THASA Hair Academy: Potchefstroom’s Gateway to a Professional Hairdressing Career

Charlene Bekker
7 days ago
6 min read

If you’re dreaming of a creative career in hairdressing and you live in Potchefstroom, you don’t have to look far. THASA (The Hair Academy of South Africa) is a homegrown institution that has been training top-class hair professionals in Potchefstroom since 2008. The academy is more than just a school , it’s “a creative hub where passion meets precision”, transforming raw talent into polished skill.

Being locally based, THASA makes it convenient for Potchefstroom residents to get quality, accredited hairdressing education without relocating. Whether you’re a recent school leaver or a career-changer seeking a fresh start, THASA provides an accessible path to break into the exciting beauty and hair industry.

Comprehensive Courses in Hairstyling, Barbering, and Color Theory

Broad Curriculum

THASA’s training program covers the full spectrum of hairdressing arts. Students gain expertise in creative hairstyling, precision cutting techniques, and the latest trends in hair design. The curriculum also emphasizes hair color theory and advanced coloring techniques,from understanding the color wheel to mastering modern dyeing methods, so graduates can formulate and apply hair color with confidence.

Importantly, THASA includes dedicated modules on barbering, ensuring learners are skilled in men’s grooming and classic barbering cuts. In fact, the academy even offers a focused 10-day Barbering Skills short course for those who want quick, intensive training in this in-demand field. Rounding out the education, students are taught salon management and customer service fundamentals, preparing them not just to create beauty but also to run a successful business.

Hairstyling & Cutting: Learn to craft everything from everyday styles to runway-ready looks. THASA students practice on diverse hair types, mastering classic cuts and creative styling techniques.

Barbering & Men’s Grooming: The academy covers traditional barbering skills, like fades, shaves, and beard trimming , equipping you to serve male clients or even start your own barbershop.

Hair Color Theory & Techniques: Develop a deep understanding of color theory, chemicals, and application methods. From basic coloring to trendy ombré and highlighting, you’ll be able to transform hair with confidence.

Salon Management: Beyond hands-on styling, THASA teaches the business side of the industry. You’ll learn about salon operations, client relations, and professionalism, so you graduate ready to thrive in a real salon setting.

Accredited Training with Hands-On Experience

THASA’s courses come with the assurance of accredited training that is recognized both nationally and internationally. The academy is registered with South African education authorities like SETA and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), and it holds approval as an official trade test center.

Students can pursue a nationally recognized Hairdressing Certificate or opt for the prestigious City & Guilds International Hairdressing Diploma that THASA offers. Earning the City & Guilds diploma means your qualification is acknowledged around the world a major advantage if you dream of working abroad or on cruise ships. This strong accreditation framework ensures that the skills you learn at THASA meet high industry standards and that your certificate will be respected by employers across the country and beyond.

Practical, Real-World Training One of the biggest benefits of studying at THASA is the hands-on learning environment. The academy’s facilities include a modern, spacious salon floor and fully equipped classrooms that simulate a real professional salon. From day one, students spend ample time practicing techniques on mannequins and real clients under the guidance of seasoned instructors. This practical approach means you’re not just reading about styling or coloring – you’re doing it.

THASA’s salon is outfitted with professional tools and products, giving you experience with the same equipment you’ll use in the workforce. By combining in-depth theory with continuous practical assessments, THASA ensures that graduates leave with not only knowledge but true competency and confidence in their craft. You’ll finish your course having already honed your skills through hands-on work, making you fully job-ready.

Job-Ready Skills and Career Opportunities

THASA prides itself on producing graduates who are job-ready and in demand. Thanks to the academy’s comprehensive training and real-world experience, alumni enter the job market with a solid portfolio of skills that salons and employers value.

Over the past decade and more, THASA has built a strong reputation for excellence, with many of its graduates working in top salons across South Africa and even internationally. The program’s blend of technical training and practical experience means students graduate with the confidence to handle clients, use creative problem-solving, and keep up with industry trends.

As a result, THASA graduates are often highly sought after, recognized as stylists who can deliver quality service from day one.The beauty and hair industry offers a wide range of career paths, and THASA opens doors to all of them. With an internationally accredited diploma in hand, you could take your talents anywhere.

Many THASA alumni build fulfilling careers right in Potchefstroom and surrounding areas, while others pursue opportunities nationally or overseas. Here are just a few paths that THASA training can lead to:

Salon Stylist or Colorist: Join an established hair salon or spa and work as a professional stylist or hair color specialist serving clients daily.

Barber or Salon Owner: Use your barbering and business training to open your own barbershop or beauty salon, becoming an entrepreneur in your community.

International Cruise Ship or Resort Stylist: With THASA’s City & Guilds diploma, you can qualify for jobs on luxury cruise liners or at overseas resorts, traveling the world while practicing your craft.

Fashion and Entertainment Stylist: Work behind the scenes at fashion shows, photo shoots, or film/TV productions, applying your cutting and styling skills to models and actors.

Real success stories from THASA graduates speak to the academy’s effectiveness. “I graduated with my City & Guilds Diploma and immediately found a job in a top salon,” says one proud alumna, crediting THASA’s world-class training and supportive instructors for her quick career start.

When a school consistently produces job-ready professionals, it’s a sign that their training approach truly works. With THASA, you’ll enter the industry with not only a certificate, but also the practical know-how and confidence to thrive in a competitive field.

Local Convenience and Supportive Community

One of the advantages of THASA is that it’s locally based in Potchefstroom, making it incredibly convenient and accessible for residents of the area. Aspiring hairdressers don’t need to travel to Johannesburg or other big cities for quality training , a top-notch academy is right here at home.

THASA is located on the grounds of Potchefstroom’s Technical High School, a central spot that’s easy to reach for locals. The surrounding neighborhood offers plenty of amenities; being in a vibrant university town means students have shops, cafés, and transport nearby, creating a comfortable student life environment alongside professional training.

For Potchefstroom learners, this local presence translates to lower travel costs and the ability to stay close to family and friends while pursuing your education.

Beyond convenience, THASA offers a warm, supportive community that helps students flourish. When you join the academy, you “become part of a supportive, close-knit community” where everyone is passionate about hairdressing.

Class sizes are kept manageable to ensure personal attention, and instructors mentor students closely, giving feedback and encouragement at every step. The atmosphere is friendly and inclusive – perfect for newcomers who might feel nervous starting a new career journey. “We foster a friendly and encouraging environment,” the academy emphasizes, with a goal to “empower every student” with confidence and creativity

This positive, family-like vibe means you’ll bond with fellow stylists-in-training and enjoy plenty of peer support as you learn together.THASA also understands that not all students are from Potchefstroom itself.

For those who do relocate to attend, the academy assists in arranging safe, affordable accommodation within walking distance of campus. Knowing that you have a secure place to stay allows you to focus on your studies and practice without worry.

However, for the many local Potchefstroom residents, having THASA in town is a game-changer , you can train for a rewarding career without uprooting your life. It’s a truly “for Potchefstroom, from Potchefstroom” institution, proudly rooted in the community it serves.

Take the Next Step in Your Hair Career

THASA Hair Academy offers everything you need to turn your passion for hair into a viable profession: accredited courses, hands-on skills, industry credibility, and local convenience. If you’re in Potchefstroom and considering your next step after high school or even contemplating a career switch, why not explore what THASA has to offer?

The academy regularly opens enrollments for new intakes and welcomes interested individuals to visit, meet the instructors, and see the training in action. It’s an invitation to invest in yourself and join an industry that is creative, people-focused, and always evolving.

Your future in the beauty and hair industry could start at this very academy in Potchefstroom. With THASA’s experienced educators and robust support, you’ll gain real skills and an accredited qualification that can take you far.

Now is the time to follow your passion, THASA is ready to welcome you and help shape you into the professional hairstylist or barber you aspire to be. In the words of one graduate: “If you’re serious about hairdressing, this is the place to be!”. Take that step and let THASA Hair Academy kick-start your journey to a thriving career in hairdressing. Enroll with THASA today