Impact Partner Content - Absa
The problem of absenteeism of girls in South Africa’s schools due to the lack of sanitary pads is still a real challenge in the country. It is a challenge that inspired entrepreneur Lesego Mathate to start her business Nena in order to address. Her brand of hygienic and affordable sanitary pads is now retailing through major supermarket chains in the country, empowering women and girls to take control of their menstrual health and hygiene.
Founder Lesego Mathate is currently showcasing her business, Nena, at the Absa Lionesses Xpo. She shares her entrepreneurial journey to date and her aspirations for the future.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Lesego Mathate and I am the founder and managing director of Nena sanitary pads in South Africa. I have 14 years in business with a Human Resource background, and in 2020 I was the winner of the ONE SA Oyakwazi Competition. My business, Nena, was started 4 years ago on the back of the initiative to keep the girl child in school. To sustain giving I decided to take the business commercially. We currently supply Spar supermarkets and OK grocery stores amongst others in Gauteng. Our business also partners with Nena sales agents and distributors to gain access to market.
What does your company do?
We own a sanitary pads brand - Nena.
What inspired you to start your company?
The interest to help curb the absenteeism of girls in school and also the concern of the use of proper hygiene sanitary pads.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Nena was designed with health, hygiene, comfort and affordability in mind. Nena pads are unscented with wings. The pads have got a super absorbent core with anti-leak channels for total security, and they are SABS tested.
Tell us a little about your team
Nena outsources the production team due to lack of machinery and equipment, but we work very close in ensuring that a quality product is maintained. Nena directly employs 2 people.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Yes, I've been in business for 14 years and my background is HR. I am an HR generalist and it is with the funds that I've managed to save from the services business that I was able to self-fund Nena. I hold a Bcom honours degree in Business Management and am an alumni of GIBS with a Women Entrepreneurship Certificate 2014.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
To be the leading sanitary pads brand in Africa by improving and maintaining our product offering and growing with our customers.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
To be able to literally touch lives through giving and sharing information on health and hygiene of the female reproductive system whilst growing the Nena brand. Nena is not just a sanitary pad brand but it is one that is focused on the well-being of girls and women.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Never operate from a place of fear!
To find out more about Nena, contact founder Lesego Mathate via email: lesego@nena.africa
Follow the work of Nena via the company website and social media platforms:
