Locals in detergent producing business

With four years experience in chemical production at Starlite Chemicals in South Africa, 31-year-old Noel Kachala believed he could be his own man in the detergent manufacturing business.

His dream became a reality in 2012 when with his partner, Deborah Mkandawire, 29, they started manufacturing detergents and disinfectants for sale to individuals and businesses, especially in the hospitality industry.

Sheerlite Chemicals is a small-scale enterprise that operates from Blantyre’s central business district (CBD) in Phekani House.

Sheerlite produces dishwashing liquids, sanitisers, hand soap, laundry liquid soap and bleaches, engine degreasers and shampoo.

They are currently distributing the products from their shops in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.

But Kachala did not become an entrepreneur overnight. His journey to entrepreneurship started when he attained his Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) in 2000 at Njamba Secondary School. He joined Premier Foods where he worked as a sales representative from 2000 to 2003.

Between 2004 and 2007, he studied for a diploma in purchasing and supply at Mzuzu University under the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (Cips) and left the country for South Africa where he joined Starlite Chemicals.

Kachala says with the skill he acquired from Starlite as well as his studies in purchasing, and with the help of his partner, Mkandawire, he has managed to grow his business.

“People are now accepting us on the market probably because of the quality of our products. We follow South African production standards,” he says.

With prospects of becoming one of the market leaders in the detergent industry, Sheerlite currently employs seven people.

But with most Malawians’ mentality of preferring imported items instead of locally produced ones, it has not been a smooth ride though for Sheerlite.

Kachala comes from Chiendausiku Village, Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka while his partner is from Kawaza Village, Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe in Rumphi.