Shamieg Davids, 34 from Ruyterwacht was a cut above the rest after claiming the crown at the Duel of the Barbers 2025.
Employed by Kings Pride Hair Studio in Pinelands and Ruyterwacht, Shamieg has been putting in fresh fades for over 16 years to now being employed as a full-time barber stylist.
He said that he tried out different career paths over the years but found his passion with clippers and scissors.
And winning his second Wahl Barber of the Year award title in Sunday's showdown at the Blaauwberg Beach Hotel, Shamieg said: “I lost my title last year because I was the champion in 2023, so I got my title back again.
"My passion runs in the family, my mom is a hairdresser and my step dad is a barber so I picked up while I was in school by just watching what was happening in the barber chair.
"I have competed before in the competition and did not win anything, but I gained knowledge of what the judges are looking for and prepped myself very well.”
For Shamieg, it's not just about quick cuts and kwaai fades. For him, grooming the next generation of barbers is his next goal.
He added: “My next goal is upskilling the young and upcoming barbers. We are a small business trying to create jobs for people who don’t have the full potential of education and take the youth by the hand and show them they can make a change in this industry and that they can provide for their family. Barbering became big in the last ten years, I have seen a lot of growth in this industry.”
The Duel of the Barbers competition is now in its eighth year and founder and organiser Antoinette Lawrence said the competition is to create a platform for barbers to showcase their talent.
“The Duel Champion of this year is a magnificent barber who is very talented and of course he won the Wahl Barber of the Year Award. I enjoy hosting this competition and the venue was perfect for this competition.
"It is so nice to show the amazing talents of the barbers and it is good for the barbers and their business and to grow their craft.”