Ludwick Marishane, a young South African entrepreneur has developed a product that allows people who have limited access to water to maintain their standards of hygiene. He invented a water-less bathing lotion. His product, called ‘DryBath’, is a clear germicidal and moisturising gel. It has the same effect as anti-bacterial cleanser, but it’s odorless and creates a biodegradable film that cleans and moisturizes the skin.
Marishane jokes about coming up with the idea because he didn’t want to take a bath. This idea earned Marishane the 2011 Global Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award, with a US$10 000 (about R86 000) prize to boot. Five years later, it’s now available on the market
The product has positive implications for millions of people in Africa and other parts of the developing world where lack of regular access to clean water leads to reduced basic hygiene and a lower quality of life.
To show solidarity for and raise awareness of the millions of affected people, Marishane is organising a no-bath weekend from 5 to 7 July, which will coincide with the fourth anniversary of the invention of DryBath.
His main goal is to get 10-million people to hygienically skip a bath once a week during 2013, even if they don’t use DryBath, and save the precious resource of water.
DryBath is manufactured by Western Cape-based gel cosmetic specialists BioEarth Labs for HeadBoy Industries, the company started by Marishane to develop and market the product.
