By Mosa Matela
‘Mamakoae Makara is a multi-talented entrepreneur that founded Eden Green Products, a business that specialises in manufacturing beauty and medicinal products using Lesotho’s indigenous herbs and medicinal cannabis.
Eden Greens Products manufactures a number of beauty products such as serums, lotion, oils and beauty soaps. All of their beauty products have been infused with cannabis. It has a number of positive effects on the skin, which makes it favourable as it acts as an anti-inflammatory and soothes skin that suffers from pruritus, pain and irritation.
Makara has always been passionate about all things beauty and has been fortunate enough to be able to manifest and fulfil this passion by working in different sections of the beauty industry, such as skin clinics and salons. Whilst working, Makara became conscious of the fact that a lot of well-know brands only cater to oriental skin types and took the initiative to create products that will benefit black skin.
“A lot of the skin care products on the shelves cater for oriental skin types and do almost nothing for us with pigmented and melanated skin. I create products that are specifically for black people and I hope to one day grow into a high-end brand that does wonders for black skin,” Makara said.
Makara got inspired to use herbs and cannabis into her skin care products after her visit to India. She needed to get collagen implants due to an injury that she sustained and while she was in the operating room she realised that the cosmetic surgeons had a variety of crushed herbs at their disposal and were using them on patients.
“After I realised that medicinal herbs and plants are being used to perform cosmetic surgeries and procedures, I decided to seize the opportunity and make use of the abundance of indigenous herbs here in Lesotho,” Makara said.
When asked how she knows which herbs to use, she informed this publication that she has always been a very spiritually enlightened individual. As a child she would have prophetic dreams and visions and as she grew older she began to see different herbs as well as ways to mix them in order for them to be able to tackle specific problems.
Her gift allows her to see and understand the medicinal purpose of different herbs and therefore allows her to incorporate them into her products. She does not only manufacture beauty products but manufactures a variety of medicinal products as well. She is able to create a blend of herbs that tackle a specific problem and turns that blend into tea, medicinal wine or sells it as is.
Since medicinal wine can be considered as a rather strange concept, Makara explained that there are two reasons in which she has infused herbs into wine.
“My mother had a liver problem and when she finally went to get it checked out she was informed that she should not stop drinking as alcohol had become part of her system. This made it hard for her to take medication as alcohol and meds do not mix,” Makara said.
This motivated Makara to come up with something that will allow for people to both heal and enjoy. She believes that taking medication should not be a strenuous activity.
Asked about the challenges that she faces, Makara explained that funding is one of her biggest challenges. She also explained that packaging and sending everything off to get clinically tested is time consuming and financially strenuous as well. She informed us that the bureau of standards in Lesotho is slightly different and not as effective, hence a lot of processes have to be done outside the country in order for her products to meet international standards.
Makara had a bit of advice for entrepreneurs. Makara said. She also advices entrepreneurs to make connections with people from all the different sectors of the economy in order to create a chain that will benefit everyone in the long run and allow more people to grow.
“Put competition aside and helps others grow. The more you help others grow, the more you’ll grow as well.”
So far, Makara has trained orphans and retired women in order to create job opportunities and give them the chance to make a living for themselves. She hopes to open up that side as well, and train more people from the beginning of March.
Eden Greens Products are available at Sea Point. Contact ‘Mamakoae Makara on 58040076 or on 51832386 to get yours.
