After battling with a health condition for years while working in a high-pressure job, Athule Siyongwana would often run a bath with candlelight to unwind after a long day.
And when the work-life balance became unattainable, the 32-year-old resigned from her job in 2023 at a construction company to launch Kwakhanya.
This business produces a variety of handmade soy-wax scented candles, exfoliating bath salts, body butter, and soaps.
“Through my struggle and having to work in a fast-paced and stressful environment in construction, I used to experience flare-ups due to my health condition.
“I just literally couldn’t wait to get home at the end of the day to relax. Most of my rituals included running a bath, lighting a candle or incense - anything aroma infused.”
Her business was established with the vision to heal the community by using eco-friendly products, especially after a 16 year battle with her health.
Siyongwana suffers from an autoimmune disease which can be triggered by high stress levels.
Her eco-friendly products are made to provide the necessary tools for her customers to find moments of peace.
“These are the tools that guided me through my healing journey and now that is what Kwakhanya offers to others,” she explained.
Siyongwana’s experience in business has been met with ups and downs.
After a failed haircare business in 2021, she decided to give entrepreneurship another chance by registering her new business.
“I did an aromatherapy course...and then started with the trial of my candles. I registered the business in March and in April, that’s when we started operating.”
She was fortunate to receive assistance from the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), an agency of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), which offers non-financial support to small enterprises and cooperatives.
“I didn’t have capital when I started my business. I took my savings and didn’t have a financial plan. I figured things out as I went along, and I reached out to Seda and [Crafts and Design Institute] CDI.”
Seda is assisting her with product testing, marketing and international organisation standardisation quality systems, while the CDI has helped her with mentorship and the purchasing of raw materials and content creation equipment. They also bought her a wax melting pot and a Yoco card machine.
While the business is gradually taking off, Siyongwana still faces challenges and currently works alone because she cannot afford to pay salaries.
She continues to establish her social media presence and marketing strategy, aiming to break into the market.
“Right now, everything is sold on Instagram... It is quite difficult because if you can’t bring the audience, it impacts on your finances.”
The entrepreneur, who works at her sister’s house and does not draw a salary from the business, said she reinvests every cent back into the business.
“We’re currently not doing great but there’s hope things are going to get better. There’s so much potential [for] collaboration in the pipeline and we plan to target wellness centres, corporates and lodges in the future.” ¥
To purchase Kwakhanya products
E-mail kwakhanyakum@gmail.com
For more information about Seda visit www.seda.org.za
The CDI can be reached on www.thecdi.org.za
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