Startup Story
For those living with a disability as a result of being an amputee, life can be challenging and independence is something longed for by many. But hope is on the horizon, thanks to Sibongile Mongadi, founder of Uku’hamba (Pty) Ltd, a company producing lightweight prosthetics for amputees living with disability. Her work is helping to give amputees their independence and their dignity back, and improve their life conditions in general.
LoA chatted to this enterprising young entrepreneur, Sibongile Mongadi, to find out more about her journey and her vision for the future.
Tell us more about yourself
My name is Sibongile Mongadi and I am from the township of Soweto in South Africa. I am the founder of Uku'hamba (Pty) Ltd, a company which produces light weight prosthetics to improve the conditions of amputees living with disabilities, thus giving them back their independence and dignity. I have been recognised by a number of awards as a young trailblazer and visionary through my work and my business, Uku'hamba (Pty) Ltd, including:
-News24 Next Young Nelson Mandela of the Future 2019
-Top 100 South Africa Shining Stars in Science and Technology 2019
-Top 50 South Africa Inspiring Women in STEM 2019
-Africa Female Innovator of the Year Finalist 2019
-GAP Gauteng Township Economy 3rd place Winner 2019
-Top 25 Emerging Social Innovator across Africa 2018 by Amex
-IF Global Entrepreneurial Disruptor 2019
-Top 100 First watch Entrepreneurship finalist 2019
-Top 100 TYI Young Innovator in the SADC region finalist 2018
-Top 200 Mail & Guardian Young South Africans under Health category 2020
“Uku'hamba (Pty) Ltd produces light weight prosthetics to improve the conditions of amputees living with disabilities thus giving them back their independence and dignity.”
“My business and solution means that we can provide solutions for those underprivileged amputees using 3D printing technology to produce prosthetic limbs at low cost with the usage of affordable material.”
What does your company do?
Uku'hamba (Pty) Ltd produces light weight prosthetics to improve the conditions of amputees living with disabilities thus giving them back their independence and dignity. The demand for prostheses each year exceeds the supply by a very large margin and the cost of prosthetic's is unreachably high especially for the underprivileged. We investigated the use of 3D printing technology to address the identified need of amputees, in a cost-effective manner also using affordable environmentally friendly material. And the result is, the custom made, low cost, water resistant Prosthetics. Our core business is in the bio-technology and health care manufacturing industry.
What inspired you to start your company?
My entrepreneurial talents started from a personal experience after interacting with an amputee at a health facility in Johannesburg. It inspired me to want to make a positive impact and improve the quality of life for amputees by giving them back their independence. My business means that we can provide solutions for those underprivileged amputees using 3D printing technology to produce prosthetic limbs at low cost with the usage of affordable material.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Uku’hamba creates aesthetically pleasing prosthetics that allow amputees to display their prosthetic proudly and change the way others view disability and prosthetic legs. What’s more is that our solution is more than a tool, and allows amputees to walk with our prosthetic, giving them the opportunity to help overcome their disability at a practical and psychological level.
Tell us a little about your team
We are team of young individuals with a background in digital fabrication and industrial product design. We are computer science graduates and we are also surrounded by a powerful board of advisors.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I was raised by both uneducated and self-employed parents and from a family of eight siblings, yet that didn't stop me from pursuing my dreams. Today I'm also known as a multi-award winning young female entrepreneur. I have represented my country, South Africa, across the African continent and internationally. I am a role model in my community, and I believe that your background should not determine your future. You should not live in the past, and in every challenge you are faced with, you should be enabled.
“Uku’hamba creates aesthetically pleasing prosthetics that allow amputees to display their prosthetic proudly and change the way others view disability and prosthetic legs.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Uku’hamba provides custom-made, water-resistant, low-cost and high-quality prosthetics in the shortest possible time, while demonstrating the improvement of quality of life, functionality and contribution in the economy of the country. Going forward, Uku’hamba is dedicated to empowering confidence in those amputees with accessibility limitations.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
My career has not been tedious or boring. I’m surprised at how much I have enjoyed it and made strides, and in fact my entrepreneurial journey of less than 2 years has seemed more like 20 years. In my career it never occurred to me that I would actually end up at this level, especially being able to penetrate an industry that is known for its male dominance. I have dedicated my career to developing prosthetic limbs that can be widely and cost-effectively manufactured. My mission is to ensure prostheses are made available to anyone in need, greatly increasing the independence of amputees who may not currently be able to afford them. Given how fulfilling the work can be, it has not felt like a sacrifice to me.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Embrace the lessons learnt from the journey of your becoming and never give up. Mostly put in the work and trust the process.
Find out more
WEBSITE | EMAIL sibongilemongadi2@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
We love young women entrepreneurs who have a big vision and the energy and commitment to make that vision a reality. Sibongile Mongadi is one such entrepreneur, and her passion for changing the lives of amputees living with their disabilities through the creation of affordable prosthetics is truly admirable. Through her business and her ability to harness the power of technology, she is giving hope to those who are dealing with challenges in their own lives, and giving them the chance of a better and independent future. We look forward to seeing Sibongile and her business grow, thrive and continue to be the game-changer for amputees in South Africa. — Melanie Hawken, founder & CEO of Lionesses of Africa