MPUMALANGA BUSINESSWOMAN TO CHARM ANGOLANS WITH NATURE INSPIRED PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

MPUMALANGA BUSINESSWOMAN TO CHARM ANGOLANS WITH NATURE INSPIRED PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

 BY BRIAN KAJENGO

The owner and founder of Mpumalanga-based cosmetics company, Magetz Guest Amenities, Ms Makgethwa Mashiane says she is looking forward to charming the Angolans with her nature inspired personal care products.

Mashiane will be participating in the Feira International de Angola (FILDA) trade exhibition, which will be taking place in Luanda, Angola from 22-27 July 2014.

A Tshwane University of Technology Cosmetology graduate, Mashiane says she is excited about exhibiting her products in Angola. She adds that the exhibition will help her gain exposure for her products and probably give her an opportunity to export them.

“I previously participated in missions to Mozambique and Zimbabwe and this is my third one. Although I do not have tangible results yet, I do have contacts in those countries, and I am hopeful that those will yield positive results,” says Mashiane.

Mashiane, who currently has a staff compliment of five employees, says her desire this year is to at least find two regional trading partners for her products and to survive in this highly competitive market.

She adds that should she make a breakthrough in Angola and manage to penetrate that market, she will definitely employ more people and consequently contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.

Mashiane’s products include tissue oil, body lotion, bath salts and shower gel. The company was established in 2009 with a total of six employees in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga.

The 27 emerging companies that will be exhibiting in Angola received funding from the dti through its Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme (EMIA). The scheme is government’s initiative to support emerging and aspiring businesses for economic transformation.