Sibongile Mthimunye, a South African entrepreneur building an environmentally friendly cleaning business — Lionesses of Africa

What inspired you to start your company?

I was inspired by the need for cleaner spaces, especially in 2020 at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. I also identified a gap in the market for localized cleaning companies that better understood what the customers need. As a company we also distribute environmentally friendly cleaning products as part of our contribution to a cleaner and safer environment without the use of harsh chemicals.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

The business is run by an experienced woman who understands the environment and what is needed in order to make a positive impact. Our products are special and environmentally friendly as they address the issue of going green, not because it is fashionable to do so, but because we have seen the negative impact caused by the usage of harsh chemicals in our environment. Hence our decision to introduce and sell these environmentally friendly cleaning products to our customers.

Tell us a little about your team

All my employees are temporary workers and they are allocated to different contracts. Ninety nine percent (99%) are women employed as Cleaners, and one percent (1%) are male employed as gardeners. All of them come from local communities and are committed to working for their families.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

I am the first entrepreneur in my family. My journey started in 2008, where I registered a company and sold Jar Pickled Spiced Mango relish (Atchar). This part of the business still exists and customers still purchase this product. From 2020, BWGL Group was formed and the journey continues with growing this cleaning and hygiene business, creating more employment opportunities and cleaner environments.