THASA Hair Academy: Shaping Potchefstroom’s Hairdressing Future (Open Day on 20 September)
- Charlene Bekker
- Sep 11
- 7 min read
Ever dreamed of turning your passion for hair into a profession? For residents of Potchefstroom and nearby areas, that dream can become a reality right in your hometown. THASA – The Hair Academy of South Africa , is a homegrown Potchefstroom institution (established in 2008) dedicated to training top-class hairdressers.
Since opening its doors, THASA has been a driving force in launching professional stylists into the industry. Now, this acclaimed academy is inviting the community to see what they’re all about at an upcoming Open Day on 20 September 2025, an event that promises insight into their world of hairdressing excellence.
A Legacy of Hairdressing Excellence in Potchefstroom
What sets THASA apart is its commitment to quality education and a personal approach to training. Over the past 17 years, the academy has built a strong reputation for producing top-tier stylists who now work in salons across the country and even abroad.
Situated on the grounds of Potchefstroom Technical High School, THASA provides a safe, homely learning environment in the heart of the city. Students enjoy a genuine campus vibe with access to nearby shops and cafes, meaning they get the full student life experience without having to relocate to a big city for quality training.
For those coming from outside Potchefstroom, the academy has partnerships with local accommodation providers, offering affordable, safe housing within walking distance of campus. From day one, studying at THASA means joining a close-knit “family” where instructors and peers support each other’s growth. It’s not just a school , it’s a creative hub where passion meets precision, and talent is transformed into a lifelong career.
THASA’s program is internationally accredited, leading to qualifications like the prestigious City & Guilds International Hairdressing Diploma. This means a THASA graduate’s skills are recognised globally, opening doors to career opportunities far beyond Potchefstroom.
Whether alumni choose to work in a trendy Johannesburg salon, start their own boutique studio, or style hair for fashion shows and film sets, THASA gives them the foundation to do so. At the end of the day, THASA offers Potchefstroom and North West residents a unique chance to build a thriving career in the dynamic hair and beauty industry without leaving town.
With small classes, caring teachers, and comprehensive training, the academy equips students with the confidence and skills to succeed, all while staying rooted in the community.
Personalised Training and Hands-On Experience
One of the first things you’ll notice about THASA is its personal touch. The academy deliberately keeps class sizes intimate, only about 15 students per class ensuring each learner gets individual attention and tailored instruction.
You’re never just a face in the crowd. In this supportive, hands-on environment, instructors have time to mentor each student closely, correcting techniques and answering questions every step of the way. Learning at THASA feels less like sitting in a lecture and more like practicing alongside professionals in a real salon.
In fact, the teaching style is “less formal classroom, more ‘let’s get you job-ready,’” as one description puts it. Students spend their days mastering everything from cutting and coloring to up-styles and client care through guided, real-world practice rather than just theory.
This nurturing atmosphere quickly turns classmates and staff into a family, where everyone supports each other’s growth. By the time you graduate, you’re not only competent with a pair of scissors, you’re confident and professional in your craft.
THASA’s state-of-the-art training salon provides real-world experience. The on-site salon is stocked with industry-standard equipment so students can practice their craft in conditions that feel like the real world.
Crucially, trainees aren’t just working on mannequin heads; they get their hands on real tools, real hair, and real clients from early on. Under instructor supervision, students practice styling on actual clients from the community, ensuring they gain practical experience beyond the textbooks.
This means Potchefstroom residents benefit too - men, women, and even pensioners are welcome to visit the academy’s salon for haircuts, colors, or treatments. It’s a symbiotic setup: students hone their skills on both men’s and women’s hairstyling (from classic gents’ cuts to ladies’ bridal updos), while the public enjoys professional services often at reduced training rates.
THASA’s curriculum even emphasises salon business skills like promoting products and services to clients, so visitors will find a range of quality haircare products available for purchase on-site. In short, THASA is more than a school, it’s a working salon that serves the community, reflecting the academy’s ethos of practical training and community engagement.
Comprehensive Courses for Every Hair Passion
THASA offers a comprehensive range of courses that cover all aspects of hairdressing. Whether you’re interested in precision barbering or creative color techniques, the academy has you covered.
Enrollments are open for the 2026 intake, and THASA welcomes both male and female students eager to pursue a National or International Qualification in hairdressing. The curriculum spans everything from cutting and colouring to styling and salon management, equipping students with the practical skills and industry knowledge needed for success.
Students learn basic and advanced techniques: one day you might be learning classic fades and beard grooming, and the next you’re practicing intricate bridal hairstyles or the latest highlights and balayage trends. The training even includes modern topics like African hair styling techniques and salon business management, ensuring graduates are well-rounded professionals.
All instruction is guided by qualified educators who are passionate about the craft and each student’s growth. This comprehensive approach means graduates leave THASA not only with a certificate, but with the confidence and versatility to thrive in any salon environment, or even start their own.
Open to the Public: Salon Services and Product Range
Although THASA is an academy, it functions in many ways like a professional salon and it’s open to the public. The academy’s on-site salon welcomes everyone from students to local residents who want quality hair services.
This includes men’s haircuts and grooming, women’s cuts, colors and styling, and even special rates or days for pensioners in the community. By serving real clients, THASA provides invaluable hands-on experience for its students while also giving Potchefstroom locals access to affordable, supervised hairdressing services.
It’s not often you can get a haircut or new hairstyle from a rising talent under the watch of an expert instructor! Importantly, THASA also carries a range of professional haircare products for sale at their facility. Clients can purchase the shampoos, conditioners, styling products and tools that students use, essentially the same quality products that salons use, allowing them to maintain their look at home.
Teaching students to promote and retail products is actually part of the training, so you can expect friendly recommendations tailored to your hair’s needs. This blend of education and community service means THASA truly lives up to being “for Potchefstroom, from Potchefstroom”, bridging professional training with local involvement.
Save the Date: Open Day on 20 September 2025
One of the best ways to experience what THASA offers is to attend their upcoming Open Day. Mark your calendars for Saturday, 20 September 2025, from 10:00 to 13:00 – on that day, THASA Potchefstroom will throw open its doors to welcome prospective students and curious community members.
The academy (located at 2 M.C. Roode Avenue, Potchefstroom) invites you to come explore their facilities and meet the team. What can you expect at the Open Day? It will be an informative, hands-on glimpse into life at the academy.
Visitors will be able to tour the spacious classrooms and fully equipped salon, meet the instructors and staff, and watch live demonstrations of what it takes to thrive in the world of hairdressing. Whether you’re a school leaver with a flair for beauty or someone considering a career change, this event is an ideal opportunity to see if a future in hair is right for you.
You’ll get to chat with instructors about the courses, ask questions about the industry (yes, including the not-so-glamorous bits ,it’s not all highlights and hairspray!), and see current students in action honing their skills. The atmosphere will be friendly and pressure-free m it’s all about information and inspiration.
Admission to the Open Day is free, but to ensure everyone gets the best experience, you’re encouraged to book your spot. Give THASA a call at 072‑258‑5146 or email lecturer@thasa.org.za to RSVP for the event.
Walk-ins are welcome if space allows, but booking ahead guarantees you a seat (or at least a decent spot near the coffee!). And here’s a bonus: if you’re impressed by what you see and decide to enroll, THASA is offering a R5,000 discount on 2026 course fees for anyone who signs up before the end of October. That’s a substantial saving, enough to pay for quite a few hairbrushes, as they like to say.
Join Potchefstroom’s Hairdressing Hub
In summary, THASA Hair Academy is shaping the future of hairdressing in Potchefstroom by blending world-class training with a strong community focus.
From its personalized teaching approach and real-salon practice to its open-door policy for public clients, THASA offers something truly special: a place where passionate individuals can turn their love for hair into a rewarding career without leaving their hometown.
If you’re in Potchefstroom or the surrounding areas and have ever considered a path in the hair and beauty industry, or if you simply want to support local talent ,don’t miss the Open Day on 20 September 2025. It’s your chance to see students and educators in action, get a feel for the academy’s vibrant atmosphere, and perhaps take the first step toward your own creative future in hairdressing.
With its informative demonstrations, professional staff, and welcoming vibe, the Open Day promises to be an inspiring experience for all who attend. Mark the date, spread the word, and come discover how THASA is making Potchefstroom a go-to destination for hairdressing excellence. See you there!
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