Vhembe entrepreneur cleans up with homegrown brand

LIMPOPO – At just 23, Zwotea Mulaudzi from Mavhola village in Ngwenani ya Ha-Mapholi in Vhembe is making impressive strides in the business world with her brand, Zwotea Cleaning Solutions. Her range includes pine gel, dishwashing liquid and tile cleaner – all proudly locally made.

Turning curiosity into a cleaning brand

Having grown up in a humble home, Mulaudzi learned the value of hard work and perseverance.

“From a young age, I wanted to be a businesswoman. I was always curious, and that curiosity grew into a passion for making cleaning products people can trust,” she said.

Today, Mulaudzi runs a small but growing business where she manufactures and sells her own cleaning products.

“I believe success starts with dedication and faith. My biggest motivation came from my home situation. Seeing my family’s struggles inspired me to work hard and change my life. I always dreamed of building something with my own hands, a business that could also help others,” she explained.

Early challenges and lessons learned

Mulaudzi admits that the journey has not been easy.

“Starting a small business is tough, especially when you do everything yourself. In the detergent industry, not every product comes out right the first time. I once made a batch that didn’t turn out well – the texture and quality were poor. Instead of giving up, I studied what went wrong and kept testing until I got it right,” she recalled.

She describes her products as affordable and effective. “Each product is made with care and tested for quality and fragrance. My goal is to reach more homes, shops and communities while also empowering others – especially young people and women – by teaching them how to make and sell cleaning products,” she said.

Her proudest achievement so far is starting and growing the business from nothing.

“I began with a small idea and limited resources, but through patience and determination, I created products people love and trust,” she said.