By: Nomatshawe Bangani
Accessing sanitary towels remains a big challenge to young girls and women who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
This is what motivated Mthatha born Babalwa Mbuku to create her own brand of sanitary towels called Ntombam.
Mbuku said her work started when she partnered with an already established sanitary towel company, where she would distribute pads to school girls in rural areas across the Eastern Cape.
In visiting the schools she discovered most of the girls cannot afford sanitary towels and are forced to use alternatives such as newspaper, aloe leaves, rags or cow dung, which she feels these alternatives lead to long term health risks like cervical cancer.
Mbuku said it all starts with a vision. According to Mbuku, she always knew she wanted to create her own brand of sanitary towels and after discovering that the person she had a partnership with had a different agenda, she dissolved the partnership and followed through with her own vision.
“In understanding the challenges young girls face through menstruation, I wanted my own brand that had my specific design. I wanted to make sure that my brand would accommodate those challenges.”
With thorough research and help from her brothers, they found a manufacturing company in Kenya which agreed to partner with her to produce the sanitary towels to her specifications. She could customise the product without any limitations and that is how Ntombam sanitary towels was born.
“I made sure that the pad was user friendly, comfortable with have full coverage, unscented, ultra-thin, used cotton for absorption and are anti-leakage. I wanted an 11 year old to be able play outside and be active during her period,” she explains.
With funding from ECDC, she was able to create beautiful packaging that is appealing for both the young and old market.
Mbuku also started with menstrual coaching to give young girls the knowledge and support to understand how their bodies work. The coaching sessions provide education to both girls and boys about menstrual hygiene, puberty, adolescence and other health issues.
“I started menstrual coaching sessions, what some would call ‘girl talk’. I understand that because of cultural constraints some parents are unable to have deep conversations with their daughters, so I wanted to create a safe place for girls to share their experiences,” said Mbuku.
With only less than a year in the market, the decision to partner with retailers has born much abundant fruit than she could ever imagine. Ntombam sanitary towels are selling like hot cakes in retail stores and pharmacies across the Eastern Cape. With the demand hitting the roof she has expanded to Cape Town and is currently looking to launch in KZN and Gauteng.
Mbuku said in everything she does is self-taught and is driven by passion. The support she gets from her family, community and friends motivates her to push harder.
She also warned people who want to succeed in business to be vigilant when it comes to who they associate themselves with.
“I work with family and friends, people I know have my best interest at heart. It’s important to associate yourself with people who are in the same journey as you are.”
Mbuku expressed that her biggest challenge so far is not getting enough support from the Eastern Cape government but said her brand would not be where it is today if it wasn’t for the support she received from ANC Provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi, University of Fort Hare SRC, ECDC and the ANCYL.
Not even the sky was the limit for Mbuku as she is about to introduce wet wipes and hand sanitizers to Ntombam.
Her first book titled ‘Rise Ntombam Because You Can’ will be launched in April
“I am all about bringing change to South African children by creating employment, developing my brand and giving back,” she said.