By Kefiloe Kajane
A Ha Mabote couple says a silver lining from the current Covid-19 movement restrictions is the fact that they got their dishwashing liquid production business off the ground.
Paul Mokhothu and ‘Mamotena Maputsoe produce ‘Crystal Clear’ – their local produced cleaning product, from the comfort of their home, assisted by their children.
Speaking to theReporter this week, Maputsoe said they have always had a dream of making soap as they are people who are very particular about hygiene and clean surroundings.
She said when the lockdown was implemented in March this year and they found themselves sitting at home with little income, they decided the best thing to do was start their own business.
“It was not easy; the borders were closed and we could not cross into South Africa to purchase some of the raw materials we needed, but somehow we had to make it work.
“We decided to go with what we had; we took some of the indigenous plants that we know that from our childhood were used for cleaning. Also our main ingredient is lemon because of its scent that crowds out the smell of chemicals that are found in the soap. We started small but we are now able to produce over 50 750ml bottles a day.
“This has not helped only us with income, but also the people around us. We sell our 750ml bottle for M25, so we have people that are selling for us and they take acommission of M8. It makes us very happy that we are now able to provide people with short term jobs,” she said.
Maputsoe indicated that they do not using any machinesto produce the soap because they have not been able to go to South Africa to buy any, due to the border restrictions. She said the support Basotho have shown them by buying their soap is overwhelming and she hopes they will continue to do so.
For his part, Mokhothu said they would like to see their business grow bigger and renting a bigger productionspace. He said they would like to produce many products but are just limited by the effects of Covid19 because cross-border movement is restricted and they cannot procure much of what they need.
‘Crystal Clear’ liquid soap is available at Ha Mabote on order, or around town where men and women sell it on the streets.
