Proper menstrual health is a critical issue in Africa. Millions of women and girls in marginalised African communities still lack access to adequate hygiene products, and this has led to long-term health complications, discomfort, and missed opportunities, be it in school, work, or social settings. Countless women struggle to manage their periods comfortably, with some even being unable to access essential sanitary pads. Lindiwe Nkuna grew up in South Africa, witnessing many women and girls’ struggles during their menstrual cycles. She decided to change things. She no longer wanted girls to miss school or feel ashamed because of something as natural as menstruation. So, in 2018, she founded Lindiwe Sanitary Pads (LSP).
The vision for Lindiwe Sanitary Pads
Lindiwe Sanitary Pads (LSP) initially started with branding and distributing sanitary products. Soon, they grew into a large-scale operation that manufactures high-quality, affordable sanitary pads for women across South Africa. As one of Africa’s first large-scale sanitary pad manufacturing plants, LSP is entirely run by women and can produce 800 pads per minute across various ranges. Their pads are age-appropriate, meaning young girls with smaller body sizes won’t have to wear pads meant for young adults.
Starting LSP for Lindiwe was a personal commitment to ending period poverty and creating opportunities for women. The goal was to make sanitary pads accessible while empowering women financially, socially, and emotionally.
Currently, the company employs and trains women to make sanitary pads, thus helping them upskill and build a good source of income. With a predominantly female workforce of approximately 90 women, Lindiwe Sanitary Pads comprises women from diverse backgrounds who make affordable yet quality pads and build financial independence.
Besides promoting good menstrual health, Lindiwe Sanitary Pads actively supports women-led organisations, such as Partners in Sexual Health (PSH) and other NPOs, to scale their impact and ensure that even more women benefit from helpful programs. It offers them minority shares in its business and provides them with sustainable income through partnership.
Through LSP, Lindiwe Nkuna further invests in skill-building and training programs to help women grow their manufacturing, operations, and management expertise.
In 2023, Lindiwe Nkuna, on account of her efforts at LSP, received the 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year Award in South Africa. She also received the 2022 Inaugural BIS Conference Award. As an African woman in business, Nkuna contributes to building a world where period poverty does not hold any girl back.
