Why one woman is championing local manufacturing in SA

LISA WITEPSKI

Manufacturing in South Africa plays a crucial role in creating jobs and stimulating the local economy. As industries expand, they provide employment opportunities, particularly for women and young people, fostering economic growth in communities. Local manufacturers, like ProHealth Manufacturing, are not only addressing the demand for quality products but also contributing to the country's resilience by supporting the shift towards local sourcing.

The challenges faced by South Africa’s manufacturing industry are well documented. As one of the few female voices in this landscape, Twiggy Nyaumwe, managing director of ProHealth Manufacturing, is determined to help people understand the importance of supporting local.

Twiggy’s entry into manufacturing has come about by serendipity. Following a successful career in PR and communications for major corporates, she took a hiatus from work after the birth of her daughters – always intending to return to the workplace.

“I knew that I wanted to be my own boss, though – not only because I understood it would be difficult to return to the corporate world after taking a break, but because I wanted flexibility and financial freedom.”

She started “easing back into work” as a buyer for one of her husband’s companies – and that’s where the seed of this Joburg-based business started to grow.

“At the time, we were importing hair nets used in the food handling industry from China. I was fascinated by the fact that the product would arrive completely unmarked, untraceable.”

Prompted by her interest to conduct a little research, Twiggy learnt that the nets were made by an intuitive machine that was extremely easy to operate – “I could do it myself.”

By 2019, Twiggy felt ready “to take the plunge” and establish her own company supplying the spectrum of PPE needed by the food and beverage processing industry. She started by taking a trip to China to examine the factories and learn more about the market and, finding that conditions were less than optimal, was even further galvanised to produce a local offering.

But she wasn’t ready to make her product. Twiggy purchased nets from a Johannesburg manufacturer until she received funding to buy her own equipment – which was a journey in itself.

“Given the government’s encouragement to purchase local, I thought it would be easy to find support for my project,” she recalls.

But not so. Having approached a number of government agencies, she eventually turned to Old Mutual, which also offered support with processes like shipping and customs.

The company has grown to employ a team of six to 10 people (almost all women) since its early establishment. It hasn’t been easy, Twiggy admits.

“Although the company was registered in 2019, we took a hit during Covid – ironic, because there was demand for the products in the very market I was trying to break into. I took a step back so that I could regroup, and then relaunched. But, even now, there is still a marked gap between all the talk of buying from local manufacturers, and actually doing so. I am aware of a number of small businesses that have had to close their doors, and it's an ongoing struggle to remain relevant. There are a few companies helping small start-ups with issues like compliance, but overall, I feel that not enough is being done to help them.”

Despite this, ProHealth Manufacturing’s client list continues to expand, now numbering leading food and beverage processors and several Zimbabwean companies.

Twiggy is constantly on the lookout for ways to improve the business: “For instance, one of my new clients has requested a product with specifications that are out of the ordinary. I had to source it, but that’s given me an opportunity to hone in on areas where I can improve and learn more.”

This proof of commitment, combined with her knowledge of the industry and her eagerness to understand customers’ requirements, is deeply reassuring to clients.

“I think that although it is unusual for a woman to head up a manufacturing business, it’s my knowledge that customers focus on before anything else,” she says.

Going forward, this is certainly to help her gain even more clients as she seeks to increase her product line and supply quality that stands as its own argument for buying local.

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