Nonkazimulo Ngcobo
Hello, I am Nonkazimulo Ngcobo, Founder & Managing Director of AzaniaMuse Botanicals.
I am passionate and goal-driven. From a young age, I always knew or had an idea about which path I wanted to follow - and that’s entrepreneurship.
I was recently nominated by the Womandla Foundation for their Women In STEM Awards (2021); I was identified as an impactful woman in the Rising STAR category. I also recently got a nod for a prestigious award to be named a Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur 2021 (I was one of the top 5000 from 400,000 pupils in 54 African countries).
Location: Tongaat, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Company: AzaniaMuse Botanicals
Operating since: 2020
Website: azaniamusebotanicals.com
Instagram: @Azaniamusebotanicals (IG)
Tell us all about your company. What products do you offer?
AzaniaMuse for us means an 'African Queen'. We are a natural hair care manufacturing company that manufactures and sells organic products for natural hair online. Our brand is a fusion of passion, innovation, creativity, and art, an admiration of a black women from her curls to her skin, that's why we are saying #SheIsArt. We make small batches from clean, plant-based, and naturally sourced ingredients. We thoughtfully select and formulate for textured coily, kinky, and curly hair.
How did you get the idea or concept for your company? What was your mission at the outset? Was there anything in particular that inspired you to start at the time you did?
When I was a kid when my mother would relax my hair; I would cry from the relaxer burning my scalp and she would say “pretty hurts my child” and continue. I got used to healing the scalp burns after every relaxer treatment. Four years ago, I decided to cut my relaxed hair to grow my afro and that’s when I realized that I did not know anything about my natural hair - from products to use to how to maintain it. I then started my natural hair journey through trial and error and a lot of research. I got good feedback about my hair, people started asking what I did and what products I used. Initially, I only wanted an organic skincare manufacturing business but after my natural hair journey, I decided to start with haircare.
Growing up, did you always intend to start your own company?
In Grade 6, when I still wanted to be a pharmacist, I said to my dad that I would have my own pharmacy, so yes, I always wanted to have my own business.
How have your past personal & professional experiences helped you to run your company/organization?
Yes, I worked as a Mechanical Engineering Technician in a manufacturing company so I know enough about running a manufacturing company, from safety to good manufacturing practices, to the repairs, maintenance and production. I also have previous experience as a retail supervisor and an assistant so that experience helps me with the production and retail parts of my business.
What is the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome?
Fear of my brand not being accepted. I had to figure out my uniqueness and the value I am bringing to customers. I am a planner and a disadvantage of that is you go through every detail - and that may end up discouraging you, but I’ve learnt to plan and hit the iron while still hot.
What's your definition of success? Do you consider yourself a success? If not, when will you?
I believe success is a journey rather than a destination. I am far from where I want to be; however, I can say that at the moment, I am living on some of my answered prayers.
Have the women around you helped you to rise? How?
Yes, from my mother to my aunts. I believe that their prayers are the reason I am where I am.
What are some of your future plans? Are you working on anything else right now?
If I can mention one of our future plans, it is to be available across Africa (in retail stores). Currently, I am working on adding shampoos and conditioners to our range so that it is a full wash day range of five products. I have a team that is also working on rebranding (as part of our growth and marketing strategy).
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in your industry or starting her own company/organization?
Shut down the noise and feed your focus, because what you feed grows. LITERALLY!
Describe yourself in ONE word. Purposeful
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today is..." having endless possibilities.