SOAP TO SOOTHE THE SOUL
The skin-saving delights of donkey milk
Three years of careful, pain-staking research went into the creation of Takuwa Natural Products – a siblings-owned business that specialises in donkey milk.
As well as selling the nourishing liquid as a healthy drink, Reginah Takuwa and her big brother, Taolo Sesupo, use the milk to make soap.
It is a venture whose roots date back to 2015, prompted by Reginah’s struggles with acne.
“This started with my sister, who had problems with her skin with little to no help around after trying different products. As a result, we started by mixing aloe and donkey milk, a mixture which paved way for the formation of this business,” reveals Sesupo, who at 29 is one year older than his sister.
By 2018, the Nkange-born duo finally felt they knew enough about donkey milk to start making money from it.
In the following years, demand has grown to the point where the pair saw the need to open a factory in Pilane.
Using 100 percent organic products and no artificial chemicals, Takuwa Natural Products offer five types of soap. The range includes: Maximum Nourishment (cucumber, avocado and milk), Aloe Donkey Milk, Aloe-garlic Donkey Milk, which is suitable for kids, Lemon Donkey Milk and Aftershave Donkey Milk.
All have properties to eliminate severe pimples, athletic infection, balance tissue oils, remove acne scars and black heads. They also boast antiaging agents and help reduce wrinkles.
“When we started, we did donkey milk soap with a mixture of aloe with the technical advice and help of our father, Dr David
Takuwa (a professor at UB). As we progressed, we did more research and incorporated garlic, which we realised works even better in curing pimples, scars and black spots,” said Sesupo, who serves as the entity’s Operations Manager.
Currently sold in bars of 25g, 50g and 100g, the soaps are stocked at Takuwa Natural Products’ stalls at Rail Park and Main Mall in the capital city.
However, they are in advanced talks to set up shop in Francistown as well.
There is also growing interest from South Africa, although Sesupo admits going international will require a cash-injection.
“We need to raise capital to supply this market and develop other products such as moisturisers, which can go with soaps. Provided we secure funding as early as now, we will be able to ramp up production in the fourth quarter of 2023 to supply this market,” he said.
As for the inevitable challenges they face in growing the business, Sesupo points to the increasing prices of the raw materials needed to produce the soap.
“This competes with the little profits or revenue we make. We source materials locally, so in most cases they are available in small quantities therefore no option to buy in bulk.”
Despite this, he has big dreams for the future.
“We want to position Takuwa Natural Products as the number one cosmetic health for Batswana, continentally and worldwide.
It will be a huge achievement to see everyone having access to the products; we will ensure that research and innovation of cosmetic products will be at the forefront,” declared Sesupo.
Apart from soap, Takuwa Natural Products also sell donkey milk, available in 125ml bottles.
Although they have their own herd which they milk, Sesupo and his sister also source the liquid from locals in the area.
“We taught them how to milk their donkeys according to our specifications, that’s why we are able to buy from them and share profits with them,” explained the young business owner.
Giving The Voice a brief science lesson, Sesupo is keen to highlight the health benefits associated with donkey milk.
“It possesses high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are excellent for maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier. The milk also contains many vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A for the cellular membrane, vitamin B2, which is excellent for immunity and the biological processes of the skin, and vitamin E, which stops the aging process. This milk really hydrates the epidermis, nourishes and regenerates the skin tissue,” was his educational debrief.