Ncebakazi Mbogo, a 38-year-old entrepreneur from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, is transforming her struggles into opportunities by teaching unemployed youth valuable manufacturing skills while running her own detergent business from her backyard.
From Poverty to Entrepreneurship
Mbogo’s journey has been marked by hardship. Growing up in poverty, she dropped out of school early and worked as a domestic worker before venturing into detergent manufacturing.
“What motivated me is that I needed a job and something to do,” she recalls. “After teenage pregnancy and dropping out of school, I was searching for a way out. I saw a gap in cleaning detergents and started selling on the streets.”
Her determination led her to establish her own small-scale manufacturing operation, producing a variety of cleaning products. Today, she not only sustains her family but also trains and employs young people from her community.
Creating Jobs and Skills Development
Mbogo’s primary goal is to fight poverty by creating employment opportunities in rural areas. She has trained several young individuals, who now form part of her production team.
“I never thought I’d be able to manufacture a product from scratch,” says one of her trainees. “Now, I can proudly say I know how to make these products. I’ve learned so much and I’m grateful.”
Challenges and Future Dreams
Despite her success, Mbogo faces obstacles, including limited production space and financial constraints. She once rented a factory from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation but was forced to leave after struggling with high rental fees and alleged extortion demands.
“I had health issues and couldn’t afford the rent,” she explains. “Now, I’m rebuilding my business.”
With support from funders, she has acquired state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. She also owns a piece of land but lacks the funds to build her own factory.
Her vision for the next five years is ambitious: “I want to see my products in retail stores across Africa. I’m passionate about manufacturing in my rural area and employing as many people from my community as possible.”
A Beacon of Hope
Ncebakazi Mbogo’s story is one of resilience and community impact. Through her business, she is not only securing a better future for her children but also uplifting unemployed youth in Mthatha—one detergent bottle at a time.
“I’m proud because my children don’t go to bed hungry,” she says. “I can pay their school fees. And now, I’m helping others do the same.”
As she continues to push forward, her dream of expanding her business serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs across South Africa.
