Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Reporter
A script depicting one’s success in the world of film and theatre will somehow read “From Makokoba to Hollywood”.
Bulawayo’s Providence Moyo hopes to take a leaf from such a script through illuminating the world with an array of skin care products made from an indigenous fruit gathered by rural folks in the thicket of Gwanda, Matabeleland South Province.
A teacher by profession, Providence swapped the chalk and chalk-board duster for the face powder and sponge. In so doing, she quit her exploits of nurturing and imparting academic excellence to pupils after a career spanning over a decade, which also saw her taking her trade to neighbouring South Africa-in pursuit of mastering the art of beautifying individuals particular about their looks.
Providence is the founder and director of Divine Providence Skin Care. Through blending um’khomo, a fruit from the baobab tree with natural remedies she has successfully produced a product that can cure skin diseases such as uneven pigmentation and acne. The Divine Skin Care founder also produces um’khomo daily moisturiser, facial scrub and puffing powder and is working on introducing a facial soap on her line of production.
Baobab is a tree native to Africa, Madagascar, Australia, and Arabia. The tree is mostly used as a source of water and food for indigenous people. Fruit and leaves of the tree are used medicinally for asthma, mosquito repellent, and for allergic skin conditions.
However, knowing the attributes of Vitamin C in umkhomo as a beauty product was a natural progression for Providence in her pursuit to become the “world leading producer and distributor of hypo allergic skin care”.
“I use what I call the baobab powder. I collect it from women in Gwanda. They harvest it and I buy it from them, by so doing I want to give back to the community. I combined my Zimbabwean background with the South African background (where I did beauty therapy) in my beauty skin care.
“I then manufactured my own moisturiser, scrub and puffing powder. I am now so competent in Bulawayo and a lot of women love my products. I do spiritual care as I trained psychological counselling with the University of South Africa (Unisa),” said Providence.
A hit in USA
Despite having started producing natural skin care products in 2014, Providence feels her break through and prospects of leaving a mark in the world of beauty therapy came when she toured the United States of America on a two-week exchange programme, African Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme organised by the US embassy two months ago. The Programme attracted 36 women entrepreneurs across the continent involved in cosmetic, basketry, fashion and farming projects.
“Out of the visit I had the privilege to meet other entrepreneurs that had done it in USA. I also had a showcase where I managed to sell my skin care products and within a day I raised about $300 and I still had people that desired to order my products . . . ,” she said.
In the US, Providence toured four states namely Illinois, Florida, Colarado and Washington.
Making it big
Providence has started working on the quality and standard of her products to have an international appeal.
“My business was still done in the backyard. However, while in the US I had the privilege to learn more on branding, on how I should brand my products so that they become competent in other countries. I therefore desire to start with Zimbabwe. I have already taken my products to National University of Science and Technology and the University of Zimbabwe for testing.
“Thereafter I want to register with Standard Association of Zimbabwe. If I do so, I desire to penetrate all the shops and pharmacies and thereafter I desire to penetrate Africa after Africa and beyond.”
Testimonials
Users of Divine Providence Skin Care products had this to say: “In life as women, we experience hormonal changes and can have skin breakouts, uneven complexion and scarring. While the rest of my body is light in completion, my face had weathered the elements and was a bit darker. Since my skin treatments and switching onto facials produced by Devine Pro . . . I am a new person. My skin is glowing and my confidence was boosted. I am excited. The results are amazing,” said Reverend Sarah Nyathi of Harvest House.