My name is Sithembinkosi Sibanda , and I am originally from Zimbabwe, called Bulawayo which is the second largest city in Zimbabwe. I arrived in the UK in 2001, shortly before the 9/11 attacks. I first enrolled at Birmingham College of Food and Tourism, studying marketing. Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, I couldn’t finish my studies and turned to care work, following the advice of a tutor who was also from Zimbabwe. Care work provided steady income, and I worked in that field for some time.

In 2004, I moved to London, but my brother, who had recently graduated from Swansea University, encouraged me to move to Swansea, where job opportunities were more readily available. When I first arrived in Swansea, I was struck by how much it reminded me of my hometown, Bulawayo. It’s a smaller city, where people seem to know each other, and there’s a sense of contentment without too much ambition for greater things, unlike in London

As a minority in Swansea, one of the first challenges I faced was trying to fit in and find my place in the community. The job market was another hurdle. Often, as an ethnic minority, the available roles felt limited to factory work, cleaning, or care work, despite whatever qualifications or experience we may have brought from our home countries. Starting from scratch can feel demoralising, but it’s a reality many immigrants face.

When I decided to start my own business, it came with its own set of challenges. As a Black woman, trying to secure funding was nearly impossible because I didn’t have an established credit score. Banks wouldn’t offer loans, and I had to rely on family and friends for support. Additionally, people’s opinions can be discouraging. For instance, when I mentioned my plans to open a hair salon, some questioned my decision, pointing out the financial risks. These comments can make you doubt yourself, but it’s crucial to stay resilient

Despite the challenges, I’ve run a successful business for over 14 years now, which is something I’m incredibly proud of. I’ve participated in hairdressing competitions and was a finalist in the Black Beauty Hair Awards three times. My competitions often involve local talent, giving young people an opportunity to showcase their skills and build confidence.

Through my salon, I’ve created a space where people from different backgrounds can meet, connect, and even make business partnerships. It’s become a hub for community interaction.

I believe the key to changing attitudes toward diversity and inclusion is being strong in our identities. When we stay true to ourselves, people are more likely to understand and appreciate the richness of different cultures.

To young people, my advice is to embrace who you are and where you come from. It takes time to grow into your identity, but with the right people around you, it’s a journey that will help you navigate life confidently. Hair, in particular, plays a big role in identity for many, and through my work, I’ve seen how much confidence it can give people.

Fy enw i yw Sithembinkosi Sibanda, ac rwy’n dod yn wreiddiol o Zimbabwe, o ddinas o’r enw Bulawayo, sef yr ail fwyaf yn Zimbabwe. Cyrhaeddais y DU yn 2001, ychydig cyn ymosodiadau 9/11. Cofrestrais gyntaf yng Ngholeg Bwyd a Thwristiaeth Birmingham, gan astudio marchnata. Yn anffodus, oherwydd anawsterau ariannol, ni allwn orffen fy astudiaethau ac felly fe wnes i droi at waith gofal, gan ddilyn cyngor tiwtor a oedd hefyd yn dod o Zimbabwe. Roedd gwaith gofal yn darparu incwm cyson, a bûm yn gweithio yn y maes hwnnw am beth amser.

Yn 2004, symudais i Lundain, ond fe wnaeth fy mrawd, a oedd wedi graddio’n ddiweddar o Brifysgol Abertawe, fy annog i symud i Abertawe, lle’r oedd cyfleoedd gwaith ar gael yn haws. Pan gyrhaeddais Abertawe am y tro cyntaf, cefais fy nharo gan gymaint yr oedd yn fy atgoffa o fy nhref enedigol, Bulawayo. Mae’n ddinas lai, lle mae’n ymddangos bod pobl yn adnabod ei gilydd, ac mae yna ymdeimlad o foddhad heb ormod o uchelgais am bethau mwy, yn wahanol i Lundain.

Fel lleiafrif yn Abertawe, un o’r heriau cyntaf a wynebais oedd ceisio ffitio i mewn a dod o hyd i fy lle yn y gymuned. Roedd y farchnad swyddi yn rhwystr arall. Yn aml, fel lleiafrif ethnig, teimlwyd bod y rolau sydd ar gael yn gyfyngedig i waith ffatri, glanhau, neu waith gofal, er gwaethaf y cymwysterau neu’r profiad a allai fod gennym o’n gwledydd cartref. Gall dechrau eto deimlo’n ddigalon, ond mae’n realiti y mae llawer o fewnfudwyr yn ei wynebu.

Pan benderfynais ddechrau fy musnes fy hun, daeth â’i set ei hun o heriau. Fel menyw Ddu, roedd ceisio sicrhau cyllid bron yn amhosibl oherwydd nid oedd gennyf sgôr credyd sefydledig. Ni fyddai banciau yn cynnig benthyciadau, ac roedd yn rhaid i mi ddibynnu ar deulu a ffrindiau am gefnogaeth. Yn ogystal, gall barn pobl fod yn ddigalon. Er enghraifft, pan soniais am fy nghynlluniau i agor salon gwallt, cwestiynodd rhai fy mhenderfyniad, gan dynnu sylw at y risgiau ariannol. Gall y sylwadau hyn wneud i chi amau ​​​​eich hun, ond mae’n hanfodol cadw’n wydn.

Er gwaethaf yr heriau, rwyf wedi rhedeg busnes llwyddiannus ers dros 14 mlynedd bellach, sy’n rhywbeth rwy’n hynod falch ohono. Rwyf wedi cymryd rhan mewn cystadlaethau trin gwallt ac wedi cyrraedd rownd derfynol y Black Beauty Hair Awards dair gwaith. Mae fy nghystadlaethau yn aml yn cynnwys talent leol, gan roi cyfle i bobl ifanc arddangos eu sgiliau a magu hyder.

Trwy fy salon, rydw i wedi creu man lle gall pobl o wahanol gefndiroedd gwrdd, cysylltu, a hyd yn oed ffurfio partneriaethau busnes. Mae wedi dod yn ganolbwynt ar gyfer rhyngweithio cymunedol.

Rwy’n credu mai’r allwedd i newid agweddau tuag at amrywiaeth a chynhwysiant yw bod yn gryf yn ein hunaniaeth. Pan arhoswn yn driw i ni ein hunain, mae pobl yn fwy tebygol o ddeall a gwerthfawrogi cyfoeth diwylliannau gwahanol.

I bobl ifanc, fy nghyngor i yw cofleidio pwy ydych chi ac o ble rydych chi’n dod. Mae’n cymryd amser i dyfu’n hunaniaeth, ond gyda’r bobl iawn o’ch cwmpas, mae’n daith a fydd yn eich helpu i lywio bywyd yn hyderus. Mae gwallt, yn arbennig, yn chwarae rhan fawr mewn hunaniaeth i lawer, a thrwy fy ngwaith, rwyf wedi gweld cymaint o hyder y gall ei roi i bobl.