Having conversations with local residents, founder and managing director of Tosh Detergents Lufuno Rasoesoe discovered there was a desire for affordable eco-friendly alternatives and a need for employment opportunities in under-served areas.
Rasoesoe was born and raised in a small township in the Vhembe district of Limpopo called Makwarela, where she completed her matric then moved to Gauteng to further her studies.
Three years ago, Rasoesoe observed and noticed that there was a gap in the market for affordable quality cleaning products. But she was also concerned about the environmental impact of single use plastics, especially in township and rural households.
The birth of Tosh Detergents was through a vision to bridge this gap. It was not just a business opportunity but a way to drive positive change and growth within communities.
“It became clear to me that there was a unique opportunity to address both environmental and economic challenges faced by communities in townships and rural areas.”
This approach would not only produce so much from the abundant indigenous resources freely available, it would be a way to reinvest in the community through jobs, and so uplift the local economies.
Rasoesoe says that there are many underutilised indigenous plants with significant potential for creating sustainable commercially viable products. All this would be achieved by harnessing the vast, freely growing resources from nature available in those areas. And the rest is history.
Despite having some challenges that come with a business, she enjoys being an entrepreneur.
“My favourite part about being an entrepreneur is having the freedom to create solutions that make a tangible difference. I love the thrill of turning ideas into reality, watching them grow, and seeing the positive impact they have on customers and the community.
“The opportunity to empower others, create job opportunities, and contribute to sustainable development adds a profound sense of purpose and satisfaction to my entrepreneurial journey,” she said.
Shining the spotlight on remarkable women in business like Madam Clicquot who became the first woman to run a Champagne house built on direct sales, is the Vueve Clicquot Future Women Awards.
This award celebrates the female leaders of tomorrow, honouring those with a growing track record of success who have demonstrated transformation and evolution in their field.
When asked what would winning the Vueve Clicquot’s Bold Women Award would mean to her she said, “Receiving the Bold Future Award would be a profound and inspiring moment for me, deeply reflecting the journey and vision behind Tosh Detergents.”
She says that her story is similar to that of Madame Clicquot, whose courage and innovative spirit transformed the world of business and broke through societal norms as a woman in a male dominated industry.
Rasoesoe is a clear example that with boldness and determination one can overcome barriers and create meaningful change.
IOL