Driven by a passion to eradicate period poverty, entrepreneur Lesego Mathate embarked on a mission nine years ago to assist women and girls facing challenges in accessing essential menstrual hygiene products. Based in Centurion, Gauteng, her company, Neno Sanitary Pads, was founded in 2016 and became fully operational in 2017. The business supplies sanitary pads in bulk at competitive prices, primarily as a business-to-business dealer.
However, it also accommodates individuals and organisations looking to donate pads to schools and other entities as part of corporate social investment initiatives. Today, in addition to its online store, Neno Sanitary Pads can be found on the shelves of over 1 000 Clicks stores across South Africa and within the Southern African Development Community (SADAC) in countries such as Namibia and Botswana, as well as in Shoprite branches in Gauteng, North West, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga.
The products are also available on South Africa’s leading e-commerce platforms, Takealot.com and Makro Online. “We started with the campaign ‘Keep a Girl-Child in School’ to shine a spotlight on period poverty,” Mathate shared during a recent Vukuzenzele interview. The inspiration for her venture stemmed from her voluntary and charity work with non-profit organisations (NPOs) supporting young girls and women battling period poverty.
A serial entrepreneur with professional training in human resources, Mathate self-funded the entire journey. “But you can’t sustain giving indefinitely, especially if you’re funding it from your own pocket. Over time, I received support from individuals and reached out to corporates,” she said.
It was during this period that she decided to create her own sanitary pad brand rather than to continue distributing products from established brands. “I wanted to research what it takes to make a sanitary pad and establish my own brand to sustain the giving aspect,” she explained.
Mathate then collaborated with individuals in the corporate and NPO sectors, leading to the birth of Neno Sanitary Pads. “I reached out to retailers, and they showed interest. But those opportunities only came much later because retail is a difficult space to penetrate. It takes a lot of time, repeated calls to buyers, and facing many rejections. That’s how I eventually got into the market,” she recalled.
Trading within the SADC region
She added that Neno Sanitary Pads has tapped into intercontinental trade within SADC.
“Crossing the South African borders is great – we are slowly growing,” Mathate said, adding that she was grateful to the Clicks Group for the cross-border expansion. The brand’s expansion into the two countries speaks to the African Union’s (AU) mission to promote unity, peace, and development across the continent. The AU is a continental body consisting of 55 African countries and was established to promote unity, peace, and development across the continent.
One of its key objectives is the implementation of transformative initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost intra-African trade and economic integration, and Agenda 2063, a strategic framework for achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development. Through these initiatives, the AU seeks to build a more prosperous, united, and self-reliant Africa.
The AU plays a vital role in the G20 as a permanent member, representing the collective interests of the African continent. Its presence ensures that Africa has a voice in global economic, trade, climate, and development discussions, while also strengthening the position of the Global South.
It is a position it will seek to solidify as South Africa hosts the G20 Summit in November this year. South Africa's G20 Presidency is a first for Africa. Initially, the production of the pads was entirely outsourced, but this has since been scaled down to 50% due to a partnership with a manufacturer. “I personally financed everything, took loans from family – you know how it is. I have never received any formal funding,” she said.
Currently, the business employs 10 people, including Mathate.
Neno Sanitary Pads was an exhibitor at the annual Proudly SA Summit, showcasing its commitment to quality and local entrepreneurship.
For More Information:
Email: lesego@neno.africa
Website: www.neno.africa
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