Startup Story
Many young learners in South Africa never get the chance to perform science experiments as part of their studies, and this means that few go on to study science as a possible future career. Entrepreneur Bathabile Mpofu, founder of Nkazimulo Applied Sciences, is on a mission to change that.
LoA chatted to Bathabile Mpofu to find out more about this impact driven business that is changing lives.
What inspired you to start your company?
This was inspired by my own experience at first year university. I was unprepared for what I was to do in a laboratory. I was afraid to touch chemicals and didn't know what all the different lab equipment was. This impacted my confidence as a science student. Years later when I was employed by the university to work in the lab, I could see many other learners who struggled with being in the lab environment and I could relate to their struggle. My initial reaction was to think that someone must do something about this problem, until I realized that I was that someone. So I would go to schools and perform science experiments. Soon I realized that this was not very impactful because I could only go to a school once, and still be the one who performs the experiments. So then I thought I must rather design a school aligned kit that learners could use themselves.
“ChemStart makes quality science education accessible.”
“Parents no longer need to take their child to a private school in order for them to perform science experiments as part of their learning.”
What makes your business, service or product special?
ChemStart makes quality science education accessible. Parents no longer need to take their child to a private school in order for them to perform science experiments as part of their learning. The product can be shipped anywhere in the country as well, so you can be in the bush and still use the kit. ChemStart makes learning science practical. Science is a practical subject needing hands-on interaction. It is like driving, one can only master it by getting into the driver’s seat.
Tell us a little about your team.
We are 4 in the team including myself. I'm responsible for leadership, strategic and financial management and sales. The co-founder, though not employed in the business, is responsible for strategic insight. Our team comprises 3 women and 1 gentleman.
“Science is a practical subject needing hands-on interaction. It is like driving, one can only master it by getting into the driver’s seat.”
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I do not come from an entrepreneurial background. Five years ago I would have never imagined I would be an entrepreneur. I literally switched for not being entrepreneurial to being an entrepreneur literally overnight. It’s like my brain switched on - I had a lightbulb moment, and I knew what my purpose in life was and I made up my mind to do something about it. I found that things started to light up. I won several business competitions and that provided the finances I needed to quit my job and pursue the business. I did face challenges and still do. These are associated with the day to day running of the business.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
We want to provide a complete solution of learning science, where we provide online lessons, and provide the kit for the practical element of learning. We want to be able to track progress online and reward good progress. Our product is primarily Chemistry, but we want to extend to other subjects. We see a future where every child in their life will have gone through learning with our kits.
“We see a future where every child in their life will have gone through learning with our kits.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
It’s seeing my vision come together, bit by bit. From having an idea of having a kit to having this kit being sold and used by online schools. It fulfils me to know that I’m living out my purpose in life through entrepreneurship and I’m able to employ people and inspire others to become scientists. Being an entrepreneur is humbling.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
There are many opportunities for women in this country to start businesses and what keeps many from starting a business is themselves. Many women lack the self-belief that they can really have an impact and effect change at a large scale. So we need to believe in ourselves and start…if we fail, we can learn from those failures and start again. We must take advantage of the opportunities given to us in this country.
Contact or follow Nkazimulo Applied Sciences
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN | EMAIL Bathabile@nkazisciences.co.za
Why LoA loves it….
Women entrepreneurs are changing the world each and every day through their businesses and their solutions to big challenges. In South Africa, access to quality education, especially in the field of science, is one of those challenges, but the inspirational Bathabile Mpofu in on a mission to change that. She is taking her own personal experiences in the lab as a student, and now as an experienced entrepreneur, and using them to create an engaging, easy to access kit that brings the exciting world of science experiments in the classroom and the home. Bathabile is changing the lives of so many young learners who have such potential, and is empowering them to become the scientists of tomorrow. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa