SA start-up success: Transforming pineapple fibre into life-changing products - award-winning entrepreneur

Eastern Cape entrepreneur Candy Androliakos has developed a novel range of disposable sanitary products after she was asked by an elderly resident at the old age home where she works to come up with a cost-effective, dignified solution. Since then, she has expanded her range to children's nappies and women's sanitary solutions, adding clever design features along the way. Earlier this month Candy’s business, Leafline Washable Sanitary Wear was awarded R1.3m in prize money at the SAB Disability Empowerment Awards where she took first place. The Awards are aimed at promoting social innovations that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through assistive devices, training or employment. Leafline Washable Sanitary Wear, founded by Candy Androliakos and based in Port Alfred, was awarded R1.3m. Leafline employs people living with disabilities to manufacture affordable and biodegradable sanitary products, nappies, chair and bed protectors made from natural fibre. This interview is brought to you by FirstRand. For more stories of South African success, visit the Good Hope section at BizNews.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices