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26 September 2022 | Story André Damons | Photo Jack once productions
The three directors of Epicutis Skincare
All smiles. The three directors of Epicutis Skincare; Dr Maanda Tshikororo, Chief Marketing Officer; Dr Lehlohonolo Makhakhe, Chief Executive officer and primary formulation scientist; and Mrs Mantwa Makhakhe, Chief Operating Officer, showing of some of their new skincare products

A senior lecturer and specialist in the Department of Dermatology at the University of the Free State (UFS) and his two associates, who are also postgraduate students at the university, have realised their dream when they launch their skincare company next month.
 

Dr Lehlohonolo Makhakhe, a full-time medical specialist (dermatologist), Dr Maanda Tshikororo, a medical doctor and a postgraduate student in the Department of Psychiatry, and Mrs Mantwa Makhakhe, who holds a BCom Economics degree and is currently completing her postgraduate diploma in financial planning, are the directors of Epicutis Skincare. Dr Makhakhe, who is also a PhD candidate registered with UFS, is the Chief Executive Officer and primary formulation scientist for the company, while Dr Tshikororo is the Chief Marketing Officer and Mrs Makhakhe the Chief Operating Officer.

The company is launching on 22 October 2022.

Narrowing the gap between treating skin ailments and manufacturing skincare products

According to Dr Makhakhe, who published the very first comprehensive African atlas on skin diseases commonly seen in the African setting,The African Atlas, synopsis and practical guide to clinical dermatology, says Epicutis is a company which will produce a range of personal skincare products. The range will comprise of products such as body lotions, body creams, petroleum jelly and a night cream. Since becoming a dermatologist, he has always wished to narrow the gap between being a clinician treating skin ailments and being involved in manufacturing skincare products.

“Creating products as a dermatologist has great benefits, because the products are created from a clinician’s perspective, with more intentional results. All ingredients used were carefully selected for their specific and scientifically proven benefits, they were then tested for stability in terms of viscosity, pH, microbiology in association with the South African Institute of Dermatology and other third parties,” says Dr Makhakhe. 

Ecstatic about the upcoming launch

Dr Tshikororo says this has been an adventure they have always thought of undertaking. “We finally reached a point of shifting from the comfort of dreaming about it, to taking action.” 

“We hope our company will play a notable role in creating permanent employment for the youth, and also have an impact on the growth of the economy of the Free State province and that of the country as well,” says Mrs Makhakhe. 
The three directors are ecstatic about the upcoming launch of their products, and optimistic that there is enough room for new, affordable, locally manufactured skincare products that are suitable for all family members.  

All products will be available at major retailers soon after the launch. Further information is available at the official website

News Archive

“Aren’t auntie and them hungry yet?” Country folk worried about NSH hikers
2014-05-15

About 5 km short of Wortelfontein Guestfarm in the Northern Cape, Rachel Swart is sitting on the porch of her peasant house when four people come walking down the dirt road.

Guests on foot are not a regular sight in this region, because you must understand, Wortelfontein is situated where Hanover lies far behind you and Richmond is still a very long way off.

 

The four people on the dirt road are the hikers from the University of the Free State (UFS) on their way to Cape Town (on foot) to create awareness for food-insecure students at the UFS.

Adele van Aswegen, Ronel Warner, Ntokozo Nkabinde and Nico Piedt are already on the road for more than two weeks as part of the No Student Hungry bursary’s (NSH bursary) fundraising efforts. The bursary provides assistance to students at the UFS who often do not have enough to eat.

On day 12 of their walk, the plan was that our hikers would stay at Wortelfontein Guestfarm, but unfortunately they took the wrong turnoff. It is precisely at this point where they met Rachel.

“I will show you where Wortelfontein lies. One can easily get lost here,” says Rachel decidedly and points to the straight main road. She ties her baby skilfully behind her back with a towel and tackles the next 5 km together with our hikers.

“It is this kind of support and encouragement that keep us on the road,” says Adel.

Everywhere along the road people are stunned and concerned about the four’s trip and immediately offer their help.

Near Trompsburg, an elderly couple who just heard about the hikers at church, stop next to them and offer them a lift to the next town. They are thankful for the gesture, but have to decline the offer.

Between Trompsburg and Springfontein, Doug offers to take them to Springfontein. Once again they decline the offer.

There was also the uncle who wanted to buy them cool drink and the road workers who cheered them on.

In Colesberg a group of children asked worriedly: “Aren’t auntie and them hungry yet?”


These boots are made for walking ... to Cape Town (Article of 02 May 2014)


Daily updates:
(You can also follow us on @UFSweb for daily tweets)

Day 21: 21 May 2014
15:09
42 km
Leeu Gamka Hotel

Day 20: 20 May 2014
13:39
20 km
Alida, Springfontein

Day 19: 19 May 2014
12:31
27.6 km
Teri Moja Game Lodge

Day 18: 18 May 2014
First rest day
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 17: 17 May 2014
19:30
62.3 km
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 16: 16 May 2014
13:00
14 km
Taaibochfontein

Day 15: 15 May 2014
16:03
32 km
Travalia, Three Sisters

Day 14: 14 May 2014
18:33
43 km
Joalani Guest Farm
 
Day 13: 13 May 2014
17:30
33 km
Die Rondawels
 
Day 12: 12 May 2014
16:49
40 km
Aandrus B&B in Richmond
 
Day 11: 11 May 2014
39 km
Wortelfontein (Magdel and Christiaan)
 
Day 10: 10 May 2014
15:44
34 km
Hanover Lodge
 
Day 9: 09 May 2014
40.8 km
Camping between Colesberg and Hanover
 
Day 8: 08 May 2014
15:25
33.7 km
Colesberg, The Lighthouse Guesthouse

Day 7: 07 May 2014
15:08
23 km
Orange River Lodge

Day 6: 06 May 2014
15:57
51.06 km
Gariep Forever Resort

Day 5: 05 May 2014
12:18
28 km
Rondefontein

Day 4: 04 May 2014
15:27
35 km
Trompsburg: Fox Den

Day 3: 03 May 2014
17:30
46.74 km
Edenburg Country Lodge (Hotel)

Day 2: 02 May 2014
11:44 am
15.3 km
Tom's Place

Day 1: 01 May 2014
32 km
Leeuwberg

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