A young entrepreneur from Tsenelong Section in Thembisa is turning her passion for natural healing into a growing business, making an impact across South Africa.
Pleassure Nkoana, originally from Bochum in Limpopo, is the founder of Mpelewane Belly Buster, a herbal wellness brand that has gained traction through social media.
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Nkoana said her inspiration came from observing older generations in her community who relied on natural remedies and traditional herbs to maintain their health.
“I grew up seeing elders who were strong and healthy without relying on modern medication. That inspired me to return to natural ways of living,” she said.
Driven by this experience, she began developing herbal mixtures to assist people facing common health challenges, including stomach bloating, ulcers, hormonal imbalances and other digestive issues.
Her flagship product, Mpelewane Belly Buster, is made from natural ingredients such as lemon, ginger and moringa, and supports digestion and overall wellness.
What started as a small initiative has grown into a business that not only promotes health but also creates employment opportunities. Nkoana has employed three people and established a network of more than 20 distributors across the province.
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Beyond business, she is passionate about empowering young women to become self-reliant.
“I always encourage young women not to wait for someone to change their lives. They can stand up, work for themselves and create income,” she said.
Nkoana hopes her journey will inspire others, particularly young women, to believe in themselves, pursue entrepreneurship and build sustainable futures.
However, the journey has not been without challenges. One of the main obstacles has been building trust in a market where consumers are often sceptical of herbal and wellness products.
“Convincing customers that the product is safe, effective and genuinely natural requires consistency, transparency and real results,” she said.
Limited funding also posed difficulties in the early stages, affecting production, packaging and marketing efforts.
“Social media helped a lot, but growing the brand still required resources that were not always available. There were also regulatory and compliance challenges within the health and wellness industry, where standards must be met to ensure customer safety,” she added.
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Nkoana credited her support system as a key factor in the success of her business.
“My family supported me emotionally and sometimes financially, especially in the early stages. Friends helped with marketing and spreading the word, while my customers played a crucial role through their trust, feedback and referrals,” she said.
She also highlighted broader challenges facing young entrepreneurs, including limited access to funding, mentorship and practical business skills.
“Many people have great ideas but lack the financial resources and guidance to bring them to life. There is also a gap in business education, particularly in areas such as marketing, financial management and legal compliance,” she said.
Nkoana believes stronger support systems are needed to help emerging entrepreneurs succeed.
“There should be more accessible funding opportunities, especially for small and rural businesses.
“Experienced entrepreneurs should mentor upcoming business owners, and both the government and the private sector should invest in practical training programmes,” she said.
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