Duduzile Morobe is the CEO of Zamani Chemicals; a business which is thriving thanks to the dedication of its leader and unwavering commitment to the community it serves.
Over the past two decades, Zamani Chemicals has grown from a humble grassroots enterprise into one of South Africa’s most respected black female-led chemical manufacturing and solutions companies.
With a strong footprint in industrial and sustainability-driven innovation, the company continues to make waves across South Africa, with their eyes firmly set on the continent at large.
At the helm as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Duduzile Morobe, a dynamic leader and visionary who has steered Zamani Chemicals into a new era of transformation, empowerment, and strategic growth.
As 2025 draws to a close, we sat down with Ms Morobe to reflect on the company’s journey, its achievements, and the road ahead.
The Zamani Chemicals difference
Zamani Chemicals was founded with a clear vision to build a proudly South African chemical manufacturing company that could compete with global players, while at the same time empowering local communities.
Over the years, the company has evolved from a small, community-based supplier into a fully-fledged manufacturing business, serving multi-nationals in different sectors and with a particular focus on home care, personal care, cleaning, hygiene, and water treatment.
The next step on the journey involves entering into partnerships with the agriculture and mining sectors to enhance sustainability through reliable chemical solutions, driving value creation while meeting the evolving needs of the respective sectors.
“Our growth story is anchored in innovation, partnerships, and a deep commitment to sustainable development,” the CEO says.
“Zamani Chemicals stands as a powerful example of what black industrial leadership can look like in the 21st century. Our journey from humble beginnings to becoming an ethical, ISO-certified enterprise proves that with the right values, vision, and people, black-owned businesses can thrive in even the most technical and capital-intensive sectors.”
Zamani Chemicals operates a flexible manufacturing facility with various production capabilities in both liquid and powder chemical products.
Their operations integrate customer formulation, mixing, blending, decanting, and packaging technologies to ensure consistent quality, efficiency, and scalability. Production capabilities include various powder mixers, cones, and automated filling and packing lines that accommodate a wide range of pack sizes, from small sachets to bulk industrial bags.
“We also provide custom toll manufacturing services, handling both Zamani sourced and customer supplied materials. Every batch is supported by in-house laboratory testing, quality control, and traceable batch documentation and retention samples,” she explains.
“Complementing production are our on-site warehousing, logistics coordination, and environmental management systems, all aligned with ISO 9001:2015 and SHERQ standards. This ensures Zamani Chemicals consistently delivers safe, high-quality, and reliable chemical products across multiple sectors.”
Expansion and regional growth are key themes in the chemicals industry, so it is no surprise that Zamani Chemicals’ growth strategy includes deepening its footprint in the mining and agriculture sector through strategic partnerships and innovation-led service delivery.
“We are also pursuing opportunities with SOEs, where our solutions align with national infrastructure and sustainability goals. Beyond South Africa, Zamani Chemicals aims to strengthen its presence in SADC markets by 2028, leveraging regional partnerships to support Africa’s industrialisation agenda,” Ms Morobe adds.
Recognition for stellar work
Zamani Chemicals recently received notable recognition, including three nominations at the BBQ Awards.
Being nominated for the Community Builder of the Year, Digital Transformation, and Businesswoman of the Year awards was a proud moment for Ms Morobe, while winning the Businesswoman of the Year award was “a true honour”.
“These recognitions affirm the hard work and dedication of our entire team. Other key milestones include our investment in digital transformation across operations, expanded product lines, impactful community employment initiatives, and, most importantly, we have embedded environmental sustainability into our operations, ultimately contributing to sustainable development within our industry and community,” she says with pride.
But every success story comes with its share of challenges to navigate.
Like many manufacturing businesses, Zamani Chemicals has faced challenges related to market access, fluctuating input costs, and competition from multinational suppliers.
However, their agility, innovation, and people-first approach have been their strengths to carry them through the difficult times.
“By focusing on quality, building strong relationships, and continuously developing our workforce, we’ve managed to remain resilient and competitive,” she says defiantly.
Growth, community development, and employment creation
Zamani Chemicals has been thriving for 23 years, which is no small feat. Ms Morobe attributes the entity’s sustained growth to having the right vision and leadership at the helm.
“Our longevity comes from a commitment to purpose driven leadership and long-term vision. We invest in people, technology, and community, maintaining a clear focus on delivering value to clients. We see every challenge as an opportunity to innovate and every partnership as a platform to build shared prosperity,” she insists.
As community development and employment creation are both central to South Africa’s transformation agenda, how has Zamani Chemicals played their part in contributing to job creation and socio-economic development within the local communities of Ekurhuleni?
The answer is simple: they are deeply invested in their local community.
“Through our employment and on the job training programmes, we’ve created stable job opportunities for young people and women in Ekurhuleni. We also collaborate with local SMMEs in our supply chain to stimulate inclusive economic growth. Our philosophy is simple: when our community thrives, our business thrives,” Ms Morobe states.
Leadership and key priorities
Ms Morobe is now into her third year as the CEO of Zamani Chemicals. She has really stamped her authority on the operations and systems of the entity since taking charge – and they are all the better for it.
While she was fortunate to take over an entity which was in good standing in 2023, her work since has been nothing short of remarkable.
“I took control of a business built on solid values and operational excellence. The previous leadership laid the groundwork for sustainable growth, and my role has been to modernise and expand upon that foundation,” she explains.
“By integrating digital systems, refining our processes, and reinforcing our people’s culture, we’ve been able to continue that legacy while positioning the company for the future.”
Looking ahead to 2026, there are a number of key priorities and goals for Zamani Chemicals to achieve under Ms Morobe’s guidance.
The focus for 2026 is expansion, innovation, and sustainability, with a concerted drive towards increased capacity in production, entering new markets across Africa, and solidifying their reputation as a trusted manufacturer of choice in all sectors.
“At the same time, we will continue to invest in people, especially youth and women, ensuring that our growth continues to create meaningful social impact,” Ms Morobe concludes.
From humble beginnings to continental ambition, Zamani Chemicals stands as a testament to what’s possible when purpose meets persistence. Under the leadership of Ms Morobe, the company continues to chart new territory and not just as a manufacturer, but as a catalyst for inclusive growth and transformation in South Africa and beyond.
