Success Story

Iyeza LePleyiti is a natural health product for infants that helps soothe colic—but it’s also so much more than that. It’s a story that started in 1998 with a mother’s care and curiosity, and today, it’s grown into a business that blends tradition with innovation, all rooted in the Eastern Cape. 

Back in the day, my mother worked at Spargs Supermarket, in the aisle that sold medicine. She noticed that parents would often come in looking for something to relieve colic in their babies, but nothing really worked for them. That gap and her desire to help led her to start researching natural alternatives. Eventually, she created a remedy using ingredients she trusted and that’s how Iyeza LePleyiti was born. 

In 2022, I took the baton and decided to run with it. I improved the packaging, got the product tested through SABS and started formalising the business. I knew there was something special here, it just needed to be nurtured and taken seriously. 

Colic is tough. When a baby is crying non-stop and nothing seems to help, it can be incredibly stressful for parents. This remedy has always been made with natural ingredients and no preservatives, keeping it simple, safe and effective. 

But this is about more than colic. It’s about honouring indigenous knowledge, the kind passed down in households and communities for generations. Along my journey, I’ve met people who remember the remedies they grew up with and they’re inspired to turn those into something bigger. That’s where many get stuck when it comes to selling and the truth is, selling is the heartbeat of any business. I started with recycled bottles, selling door-to-door and on Facebook. That’s how the business found its first loyal customers. 

Every production run, I bring in at least two young people from the community to work part-time. It’s a small team, but it’s something and it feels good to know that as the business grows, the opportunities will grow too. 

Everything shifted when one of my customers sent me a link to the Nedbank Pitch & Polish competition. I applied immediately. Out of over 1,400 applicants, I made it into the Top 4. 

Pitching for the first time was nerve-wrecking, but sticking to what I know made it easier. I even opened my pitch with the sound of a crying baby, it was risky, but it got their attention and I knew I had to make them feel the problem before I presented the solution. 

One of the biggest lessons from the programme was about understanding the financial side of the business. For the longest time, I overlooked that, but the mentorship I received, especially from Maligay at Raizcorp helped me understand my numbers, my customers and how to track real growth. 

Since the competition, a lot has changed. I’m currently working toward SAPHRA approval, with support from SEDFA. We secured a grant of R250,000 to purchase a bakkie that was actually part of my request during Pitch & Polish and received a filling machine from ECDC to scale up production. Our small workshop is now half full, and the dream is unfolding step by step. 

Iyeza LePleyiti isn’t just a remedy, it’s a legacy. It’s proof that something homemade, rooted in love and community, can grow into something powerful. Pitch & Polish didn’t just boost my business, it boosted my confidence and reminded me why I started in the first place. 

This journey is far from over. In fact, it’s only just begun.