Three Mozambican entrepreneurs are transforming environmental challenges into sustainable business opportunities. They are Marta Uetela, Cristina Brito and Vânia Gonçalo, who recently shared their experiences at the seminar "Entrepreneurship, Social Impact and the Environment", moderated by Ezaquiela Muanga.
Marta Uetela is a mechanical engineer and founder of BioMec, a design and manufacturing studio for prostheses based on plastic collected from the sea. Her project was born out of scarcity and hardship. She remembers when she witnessed a colleague suffer an accident and, due to lack of funds, was unable to obtain a prosthesis.
"The discrepancy between demand and supply in the prosthetics market was evident, as well as the high prices, the production time was long and inaccessible for many," he said.
When he saw the problem of plastic pollution in the seas, he saw an opportunity to do business in an innovative and sustainable way. He decided to transform plastic waste and fishing nets into high-performance prostheses.
Combining technology with the environment, he emphasised, not only offers a cheaper solution, but also helps to clean up the oceans. His products, for example, cost around three times the minimum wage. A conventional prosthesis, on the other hand, can cost three times as much or more.
BUSINESS PROMOTES MENSTRUAL EDUCATION
Cristina Brito, for her part, has a degree in public administration. She is also the partnership manager for Be Girl Mozambique, a design company that creates sustainable menstrual products and thus promotes menstrual education.
Her vision is to create a world where menstruation is seen as something beautiful and natural, without hindering girls' opportunities. This is combined with the environmental responsibility of its products.
Be Girl's range of reusable menstrual products offers a sustainable alternative to traditional disposable products, designed to take care of the body and the planet. The products include leak-proof menstrual panties, washable and highly absorbent menstrual pads, an ultra-soft medical-grade silicone menstrual cup with a case for storing and sanitising with boiling water, and waterproof and odour-proof bags for storing and cleaning the products.
The products provide superior comfort and security against leaks and promote autonomy and confidence in users. They are also economical in the long term and educate young women about menstrual health. They also reduce the environmental impact of disposable menstrual waste.
REUSING MATERIALS SUCH AS TYRES
Vânia Gonçalo is a climate activist with a background in various environmental areas. She is the executive director of Gonzart, a company dedicated to recycling and reusing materials such as tyres, slipper soles and plastics.
Gonzart also coordinates training programmes for vulnerable women, teaching them how to reuse recyclable materials. "Gonzart focuses on creating ecological products and empowering communities to promote sustainability," said Vânia Gonçalo.
The company, which also collects objects from the ocean, produces materials such as tables, vases, earrings, among others, helping to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.
(By Renaldo Manhice)
