By: Sizakele Nduli
There is something undeniably valuable about an entrepreneur who turns a personal experience into a reality, especially when it prioritises women’s health, sustainability and quality.
Vivian Mokome, a PhD Information Systems graduate from Soshanguve and founder of Dignity Organic Sanitary Pads, says that after being introduced to high-quality sanitary pads in 2017, she has never looked back.
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“I am a woman. I have used other brands before, and I know what used to happen when I used to suffer a lot from thrush, side leakage, odour and all those things, which are the current problems most women are experiencing.
“Before, I would move from one pad to the other and when it was that time of the month [I have heavy menstrual flow], I’d be forced to [wear] tights and constantly change my sanitary napkins. So, I no longer suffer from that and messing up my mattress, I even forget when it’s that time of the month. The pad is so thin but super absorbent, “ she told Vutivi News.
While her business was founded in 2022, it is already a gamechanger. What makes the product stand out is its inclusion of a test kit for vaginal inflammation in every resealable package, which helps reduce any risks of contamination.
“It’s a nice feature to have. We have a test for HIV and pregnancies, so why not have a test to know about the health of our vaginas in the comfort of our own homes,” she said.
She also revealed that if the test came back positive, you could consult a doctor to learn more.
The innovation does not stop with the test kit. Each pad features a 360-degre seal and four wings for a secure fit and enhanced comfort.
Its design also includes small holes to promote air circulation which curbs bacterial growth and eliminates unpleasant odours.
Also, the hypoallergenic pads are made of organic cotton. The green anion strip on the pads has antibacterial properties and kills 99% of microorganisms.
The organic pads are approved by the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority. they are now available in most Spar stores, many pharmacies and various garages, which means they are widely accessible.
“I have spent most of my time educating our people about the importance of using good quality pads, so our people now understand that reality [and] they now want his product.It is in demand [and] it is currently doing well,” Mokome said.
The pad has been well received not only in South Africa but also in the United Kingdom and many parts of the African continent.
“The reason why the pad is outside of South Africa is because of the Direct Sales Model that we implement in our business. We have over 600 sales agents. Those 600 sales agents are not only in South Africa, some are in Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Kenya and UK and because of that, the pad is now all over and not only in South Africa.
“Every girl child in South Africa or rather in the African continent deserves access to quality pads, not just pads but good quality organic pads,” Mokome said. She emphased the importance of knowing what goes into the sanitary towels and understanding the difference between regular and high-quality pads.
Today, her locally designed and manufactured product has created jobs for over 600 sales agents and 20 employees.
