Breaking gender norms, managing a growing brand and pursuing a music education is all in a day’s work for Kgomotso Moloko.
With just R150 and a dream to open his own factory, Moloko also known as ‘Mkhozi’ plans to take over the cleaning industry one broom at a time.
Started in September 2020, the Mkhozi brand stemmed from the mind of a young man who was tired of sitting at home with nothing to do. With just the small sum of money he got from his grandmother and some prayers, Moloko put on a dress and a doek he got from his grandmother and started selling cleaning products to help his family put food on the table.
It has not always been smooth sailing for the 28-year-old Mkhozi, “People laugh at me for the dress all the time,” says Moloko, “but I smile and move on”. The purpose of the dress is to recreate the image of the old mama who sold brooms where he grew up as a child, it was never to break gender norms and stereotypes. He now uses it to capture the attention of potential clients, “People are already curious about who I am before I even sell,” he says.
Moloko is happy that his brand is breaking gender norms and cultural conventions, it makes people “focus on the person and what they have to offer and less on societal norms,” he adds.
Alongside being an entrepreneur, Mkhozi is also a performer. His passion for music started with Duduza Serenade, a choir in the township of Duduza in Gauteng where he grew up. He also had a brief stint singing in the UJ choir and is currently running Black Notes, a music company that promotes live music events.
Moloko’s long term plan includes opening a factory and creating employment for young unemployed youth, “Having a factory will help with ensuring a high product quality,” he added.
This rising star wants to have his products in every household in the country, he’s one to watch out for.
FEATURED IMAGE: Kgomotso Moloko (Mkhozi). Photo: Provided
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