By Jonk wa Mashamba
Editor-in-Chief
news@alexreporter.co.za
Monica Koketso Maubane (22) is working on having a small Sanitary pads store in her township, Alexandra.
And the optimistic woman believes that her big project will likely start before the end of the year, if things go as planned.
This brilliant young woman worked relentlessly on this vision for RISE & SHINE Pads. And she believes that by making it a reality, it can be the change that the world is waiting for while her business is booming.
“Our vision as the business is to also build a Sanitary towel factory in South Africa, which will also create job opportunities for our fellow brothers and sisters,” Monica.
She said having her own brand of sanitary towels was one of the best decisions she’d ever made in her life.
“Changing lives of women and girls has been so motivating. Manufacturing pads from the scratch has been very challenging for us as a business.
“However, I have come with the easiest method and cheaper way to still make the lives of women and girls who don’t have easy access to Sanitary Towels easier,” Monica said.
She imported the RISE & SHINE PADS into one of the top sourcing agents in China in order to maintain the vision of making life easier for women.
“Our goal as the RISE SHINE team is to see the lives of women changed by having pads that they will be able to afford.
“I have made a research that in rural areas, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Kwa-Zulu natal, and Mpumalanga you still find young girls skipping school because of not being able to afford sanitary pads.
“Women and young girls who menstruate are ostracized from basic activities, like eating certain foods, or socializing, all over the world.
“The cultural shame attached to menstruation and a shortage of resources prevent women from also working every day,” she says.
Monica says poor menstrual hygiene can cause physical health risks and has been linked to reproductive and urinary tract infections.
“We believe that as we bring the RISE SHINE PADS into the market, we will change lives of many women and girls.”
She told Alex Reporter that each packet now carries 10 pads inside, which goes for R15.
“We also have pads that we sell in pieces for R2.50cents. The RISE SHINE disposable Pads are 100% cotton, rash free, chlorine free, (no Fragrances) and protect women from UTIs and yeast infections.
“I am working on having a small Sanitary pads store in my township Alexandra which will probably be launched before the end of the year.
“I believe that by having this store, I will deliver exceptional results for women. It’s not gonna be an easy journey for us, but we will keep moving and turning our ideas into a reality.”
You can reach Monica on 0715783543
