THE NAIL PIMP

In conversation with Naledi Thabo, aka Sista Ntswembu, Johannesburg's nail artist extraordinaire

- WORDS BY TAMIA RETIEF

AN ARTIST IS BORN

Journeying through the heart of Soweto, 23-year-old Naledi Thabo - otherwise known as Sista Ntswembu – has always been surrounded by inspiration. Discovering her self-expression came at a young age, as she threw herself into all sorts of creative outlets. “Throughout my childhood, I always leaned towards expressing myself through creativity. I did a lot of drama, dance and even poetry growing up. Beauty was just something I was good at. Doing hair on my dolls as a little girl may be where it all began,” she says. “My aesthetic has always been a reflection of a loud and unapologetic spirit.”

Being a hustler is also something she has always been accustomed to, viewing it as a positive trait. “I was introduced to hustle culture from an early age, and I’ve always viewed it as a way of being independent from a system that hasn’t always been in favour of people like myself,” she says.

Much like her upbringing, the name Ntswembu (meaning ‘excellent’) has defined her work and has been deeply entrenched with her identity as both a brand and an artist. This registers with her clients and fellow creatives, who see her work for what it is beyond just nails. “Ntswembu for me is an effortless and unapologetic cool. A ghetto fabulous swag and opulence, unique to where I come from and what birthed the brand. I try to embody that always in my work and speak to whoever gets it.”