We speak to the growing and remarkable young entrepreneur, by the name of Neo Cholo. Born and raised in Mamelodi, a township in the east of Pretoria, and currently pursuing a BCom in Marketing Management at the University of Johannesburg. Neo is an award-winning author of two books, the Chief Executive Officer of African Neo Media, and the Founder of Teens With Vision. Before talking Mosetsana Pads, a brand he owns - we were curious to hear from him about the importance of having multiple income streams, he replied and emphasized the importance of multiple streams of income, stating, "I believe in multiple streams of income myself and encourage one to do it, as it is a way of being at a stable position in life, especially when you are good in several sectors. It provides one with various options and a comfortable state of life. I monetize my skills and knowledge where I create multiple streams of income from."
Speaking about Mosetsana Pads, a feminine menstrual brand aimed at addressing period poverty in South Africa and Africa, Neo Cholo underscores the non-preventable nature of menstruation. He explains, "It is commonly known that menstruation is non-preventable, which leads to menstruators, mainly females from disadvantaged communities, finding themselves vulnerable in case of not having sanitary pads.
That itself is the reason myself and my former business partner ventured into the industry with a solution to address period poverty." Neo highlights the uniqueness of Mosetsana Pads, stating, "Mosetsana Pads is unique because of our integration of business and social impact, where we ensure we bring comfort, non-leaking, and quality, also providing all-day long protection at an affordable price for indigent communities."
Discussing collaborations and partnerships, Neo mentions, "We have made collaborations and partnerships with over fourteen (14) organizations since inception, including notable ones. This has seen us addressing period poverty through collaborative efforts with the donation of sanitary pads and bringing menstruation into arts and culture, sports, and sectors where menstruation is not a norm due to misrepresented information."
He emphasizes the significance of these partnerships, saying, "The increase in partnerships means an opportunity to reach out to a larger audience and make an impact as a brand. We are looking forward to building a brand that brings valuable partnerships for sustainable development."
Reflecting on achievements, Neo Cholo proudly shares, "In just a year since inception, we have been nominated as the Most Recognized Business on Social Media by SA Social Media Awards 2023, alongside reputable businesses in South Africa. This is a remarkable achievement and a highlight of the business. We have also made international sales and are supporting an organization in Ghana that provides sanitary pads to over 1500 girls."
Discussing the availability of Mosetsana Pads, Neo Cholo mentions, "Our sanitary pads are currently available in five retailers, namely Edenvinne, Selgo Pharmacy, Lebanon Pharmacy, Lehlabile Pharmacy, and Uptown Pharmacy. Recently, we have signed an agreement with the biggest retailer to have our sanitary pads available nationwide in over 70 stores. We have been able to deliver sanitary pads nationwide and internationally through courier services available." He further highlights the personal challenges he faces and how he spends his time to unwind, stating, "I read books and have solo lunches to be able to keep sane, as it is really challenging to be sane and keep the business stable. One has to suffer, and that happens to be the one who is steering the ship."
Looking ahead, Neo Cholo declares, "We are taking over the industry and building a sustainable innovative solution for period poverty. We will be making announcements of our new ranges and partnerships."