Former Daveyton resident Relebohile Moeng (38) is the director and founder of Afri-Berry, a company that was started in 2011.
The business evolved from a tragic event in 2008 when Relebohile, her husband Fabian, and two friends were involved in an accident while driving to Bloemfontein.
Fabian recalls how the car just “flew” and how he was hit in the face with the airbag.
“Our friends sustained minor injuries but Relebohile sustained serious injuries caused by the windscreen smashing her face,” he said.
Relebohile was taken to Sebokeng Hospital but due to her injuries, she had to be transferred to the Unitas Hospital in Centurion.
The accident left her with 150 stitches to her face. Relebohile, who went through countless consultations and expensive medications, was eventually told the only way to minimise her scarring was through plastic surgery.
This led her to start searching for alternatives – a journey which developed into Afri-Berry.
Relebohile married and moved to Pretoria in 2001.
She said the birth of Afri-berry began when she did more research on organic skin products and describes herself as being an agro-processing manufacturer for organic skin and hair care products.
Relebohile remembers how she handed out samples for others to try and how, within two months, she was getting calls from potential government business investors.
She explained how life has changed since she started her company, three years after her accident, with the support of her husband. She also spoke about being a mother to her sons Khumo Tumishang (12) and Tsebo Bohlale (10).
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You were told that your only solution was plastic surgery. What did that do to your self-esteem?
The face is a part of yourself that you show to the world, so having over 150 stitches in my face brought a big sense of guilt, shame and worry.
How has life changed since then?
I have become more passionate about working. I don’t care about small failures.
What made you decide that using organic products would be the best option for you?
I tried so many products and therapies, but upon using cold pressed argan oil I experienced quick efficacy within a short period. Upon doing research in conjunction with the SABS, I discovered that cold-pressed argan oil contains over 96 per cent omega three+six+nine and it penetrates over 90 per cent into the skin, allowing it to work directly on the dermis of the skin layer.
How has the response been from the public?
Our products are sold in at least two major retailers nationwide at the moment, which is testament to the demand for natural products. The word just keeps spreading and we are thankful to South Africans for that.
In 2015 Afri-Berry was named a winner in the 2015 African Corporate Excellence Awards for having the best hair and beauty products.
“There is no formula to any kind of success, but passion has a way of leading where you need to be,” Relebohile said.
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