Yes, it is confirmed mzansi is a water scarce country but that does not stop the likes of budding entrepreneurs Godfrey Sono and Sibusiso Vilakazi to sharpen their minds on how to mitigate water scarcity or gain traction from business opportunities.
Both are the founders of Mo-Wash, a mobile hand washing units that entered the market in 2013, whose fundamental objective will be to launch nationally. Yes, it does come in handy especially at times like these.
This stand-alone, fully automatic portable unit requires no
plumbing or drainage, providing a cost-effective hygiene solution at functions
such as funerals, weddings and outdoor events, they tell SLM.
“The washing of hands is a very important part of African culture, but can be quite unhygienic as often, many wash their hands in that one basin. In other instances, there are many outdoor events that have mobile ablution systems, but no adequate hygienic facilities for one to wash his / her hands afterwards,” commented both Godrey (49) and Sibusiso (48).
“It’s no surprise that regular handwashing can help prevent illness and is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others.
Statistics show that up to 80% of communicable diseases are transferred by touch and proper handwashing can reduce diarrhoea rates by 40% and respiratory infections by close to 20%,” they agree in unison.
Put to them, with the spread of Coronavirus in SA, what role would the company play to conscientious the public on hygiene, they responded unequivocally “Mo-Wash is helping with building the right enabling environment to make this life-saving behaviour accessible to all at shopping centres, hospitals, funerals and other events.”
The Midrand based company Mo-Wash has a hands-free water
delivery system with a timer that controls water flow, a solar panel to power
the water station, plus a battery option, and even Wi-Fi. It also delivers a
powerful 10-second wash, but the owner can adjust the settings according to
his/ her needs.
“Mo-Wash is dedicated to educating the public on the
importance of handwashing rituals and the role they play in preventing the
spread of diseases. In our mission to do this, we visit schools across South
Africa to instil the importance of learning how to clean one’s hands properly
from an early age, we show them water-saving techniques, as well as the impact
that handwashing has on the communities around them,” asserts Godfrey.
The company also got a nod approval from Frost & Sullivan, a business-consulting firm involved in market research and analysis that was followed by awarding the start-up with the 2018 Frost & Sullivan New Product Innovation Award.
As part of their launch the company is open for hiring their services from major events to family gatherings, provided they prescribe to the lockdown regulations of not exceeding 50 people at once.
Our editor came to know and use their services at the funeral of the late Mantoa Khoza, wife to PSL chairman and Orlando Pirates boss Dr Irvin “The Iron Duke” Khoza, early this year in Soweto.
Its no surprise its ‘water-tight’ marketing tag simply goes “Mo-Wash provides effortless hand washing on the Go”.
