A 25-year-old single mother from Makhuva village outside Giyani has started a laundry detergent business that she manufactures herself. “People from my community contributed money for me to get a new passport. I told myself that when I get back to South Africa, I want to be able to do something that will not only benefit me but also the people in my community.” She decided to learn to do something that she could turn into a business when she gets home.

“I did a lot of research on formulas for laundry detergents. At first, I started with lotions but realised that people have their own preferences because of how sensitive their skins are. I then opted for washing powder,” she added. “I enrolled for a short course in chemical engineering while in China. I would visit factories that made soaps to see how it is made.

“I had a friend whose brother was working in one of the factories that made soaps and he would show me around to see how things are done,” she said. Nandi said that lack of time is one thing hampering her business at the moment.  “We are struggling to cover all the orders on time. I have three people helping with production and administration, but we have day jobs as I am not yet comfortable with hiring people and showing them my formula.

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“That makes it hard for the team to manufacture the orders in time as we only work at night and on weekends,” she added. She went to Makhuva Primary School and matriculated at Magulasavi High School. She attended Westcol TVET college where she graduated with a diploma in marketing management. She furthered her studies at RCM Digital College where she graduated with a diploma in digital marketing.

“I then got a scholarship to study in China,” she said. “You don’t necessarily need a TVET or university education to become successful, you need focus and determination. I started at a TVET college and that foundation has put me where I am today. I also work as a graphic designer and use my stipend to fund my business. The 24 hours we have in a day must be used smartly and productively. We only have ourselves and can’t wait for people to help. A R4500 stipend can go a long way with a proper plan and a vision,” she concluded.