Leading the change in women-owned sanitary pad making facility

Lindiwe Nkuna-Kgopa, the founder and CEO of Lindiwe Sanitary Pads (LSP), has been awarded the 2026 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award for her pioneering work in women-led manufacturing in Africa. Nkuna-Kgopa's journey began when she was told she did not fit the profile for manufacturing during a women's event. Determined to change the narrative, she built a business that now stands as Africa's first large-scale sanitary pad manufacturing facility owned and operated entirely by women.

Founded in 2018, LSP started in a home kitchen before expanding to a 4,000-square-metre factory in Centurion, Gauteng, capable of producing 800 sanitary pads per minute, all complying with South African Bureau of Standards. Today, the company exports to 11 African countries and employs 36 permanent staff, with the majority being women from previously disadvantaged communities. Through partnerships and donation programs, LSP has supplied free sanitary products to over 100,000 South African schoolgirls this year.

Nkuna-Kgopa's success was not without challenges. She faced skepticism from banking experts who questioned her ability to succeed in manufacturing. Instead of giving up, she built her business and met the required profile, securing R27 million in funding during a difficult period. This funding enabled LSP to transition from a home-based operation to a modern manufacturing facility.

The company's impact goes beyond producing sanitary pads. Through partnerships, LSP has expanded into 11 African countries, helping female entrepreneurs launch their own sanitary pad brands and creating opportunities for economic independence. Additionally, their Buy to Donate initiative has provided free sanitary products to over 100,000 South African schoolgirls, reducing period poverty and school absenteeism.

Nkuna-Kgopa's award is a recognition not just for her achievements but for every woman on her factory floor and those she has helped enter the industry. She emphasizes that the award belongs to the women who built the company, reflecting their determination and commitment to creating opportunities for others. Her journey serves as an inspiration for more women to enter industries traditionally dominated by men, encouraging them to build their track record and redefine what the profile looks like.