Africa-Press – Eswatini. Balancing classes, assignments, and social life is hard enough for most students. But for 24-year-old Nokuphila Mahlalela, it’s just the beginning. The Bhunya-born entrepreneur is building a business one bottle at a time — all while studying Public Relations at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology.
Since launching her liquid soap business in January 2024, she has been earning more than grades — she’s gaining loyal customers, experience, and confidence as one of Eswatini’s rising student entrepreneurs.
“I’ve always wanted to make my own money and create solutions around me,” she explains. “Soap felt like a smart, practical choice — everyone washes dishes!”
Simple idea, solid impact. Her product is affordable, essential, and easy to produce in small batches — the perfect formula for a start-up with a student budget. With ingredients readily available and low overhead costs, she began producing and selling her own soap from scratch, mostly to fellow students and community members.
She credits a friend, Snakekelo Lukhele, for introducing her to soap-making. From there, YouTube became her classroom, helping her fine-tune her product’s scent, colour, and consistency. “I improved through research and trial. Eventually, people started noticing the quality.”
Running a business while studying is no joke. Mahlalela works mainly on weekends, takes pre-orders during the week, and delivers in between lectures. “It’s exhausting sometimes, but I love it,” she says. “Time management is everything.”
Her early support system — family, friends, classmates, and even lecturers — played a huge role. “Some of my lecturers actually buy my soap,” she smiles. “That kind of support really keeps me going.”
To stretch her resources, she started small and adopted a pre-order model, using customers’ payments to fund production. For marketing, she leans into WhatsApp, Facebook, and word-of-mouth, occasionally giving out free samples to reel in new customers.
So, what sets her apart: “It’s not just soap — it’s quality. It smells great, it works well, and I tailor orders to suit customer preferences. Plus, it’s affordable.”
Mahlalela isn’t stopping here. She’s planning to expand into floor polish, fabric softener, hand wash, and disinfectants — and she dreams of one day running a registered brand supplying shops nationwide.
“In a few years, I want my products in stores across Eswatini. I want to create jobs too.”
Her advice to other students eyeing a side hustle. “Start with what you have. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Learn, stay consistent, and don’t fear failure. Side hustles teach discipline — and they can turn into something big.”
Connect with Nokuphila Mahlalela:
Facebook: Nokuphila Mahlalela
TikTok: @PhillarNM
Contact: 7978 5115 / 7847 7981
From lectures to liquid soap, Nokuphila Mahlalela is proving that success is handmade — and it smells like opportunity.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
