By: Tebogo Mokwena
Before starting a business, it is always important to do extensive research on the product, target market, and geographical location of the company. According to Lebogang Moloto, the founder of The Real Makoya Cleaning Chemicals which manufactures cleaning detergents in rural Limpopo, the research ensured she an excellent start to the business.
Moloto told Vutivi News that she started doing research for her business in 2016 when she was reselling cleaning detergents. While she was reselling the detergents to preschools, schools, and households in Gauteng, she identified a gap in the market to manufacture these products instead of reselling them. During this time she was studying for a BCom Honours in Economics, as well as a postgraduate certificate in education. Seeing how difficult it was to get employment with her qualifications, she threw herself fully into the business. Moloko did research on how to be an entrepreneur and how her business should look.
She also learned about how to access financial and non-financial assistance, and what language to use when applying for funding. Her company is based in rural Polokwane. She chose this area after researching a suitable location for her business. “I saw a need to have my business in Moletjie because I wanted to solve the issue of unemployment as well as create economic activities in rural areas,” she said. “There is a huge need for economic activity because I believe that more focus is being placed on township development, forgetting rural areas as a consequence.”
Once she acquired the necessary funding and sufficient information to start, she officially launched her business in 2021. “I discovered that the National Youth Development Agency offers grants and I applied for it. I used the grant to purchase adequate equipment and raw materials,” Moloto said. The company manufactures dishwashing liquids, pine gel, strawberry and lavender bubble baths, and bleach. The products can be found in Spar and OK Foods stores in Polokwane.
It is in the process of manufacturing fabric softeners and liquid laundry detergent. Moloto told Vutivi News that creating job opportunities had been her biggest achievement. She has been able to employ two people and has over 35 resellers. She reiterated that her business would not have been successful without the research, and she encouraged aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to follow suit. “If the capital they have is not enough, they must find out who offers grants for small businesses,” Moloto said. “They must also be consistent in marketing themselves, and make use of social media to put their products on the map.”
