To those who cannot get jobs to support their families, collecting recycling material is the only option to put food on the table.
Alexandra recyclist Golden Phakula has cried out for help after his recycling material was stolen. With continuous theft occurring, he sometimes has to sleep with his stock to make sure it is safe.
Phakula started recycling in 2011 when his mother stopped working and there was no money to pay for his children’s schooling.
The 32-year-old is using an open space in Tsutsumani opposite South Africa Street where he runs the recycling business with his mother Annania Rekhotso (50).
Phakula said they were really struggling as their stock is being stolen and sometimes they wake up at 1am to go and check on it.
“We have a big problem, people come here at night to take our stock. We work so hard to collect this material, but we do not have a place to use for our business. This place we are using is not ours, it’s just an open space we found,” said Phakula.
Phakula, the father of two boys Joseph (9) and Mikhense (5), said this is the only income he has to provide for his family. He said they recently caught a recycler with their stock.
“We chased him and we caught him by Juskei River bridge with a bag full of material we had collected,” he lamented.
His mother, Annania Rekhotso, said that last week they stayed outside the whole night, as the truck they had hired didn’t arrive and they feared that people would steal their stock.
“The people that are really killing us are the ones that come with cars at night. If we do not sell, we won’t have food on the table,” added Rekhotso.
Phakula and Rekhotso have been recycling for the past four years and they recycle everything from clear plastic, to paper, wire and bottles.
“Where we are staying, we are renting and we have to take children to school, pay transport to collect our stock and pay rent. When people take our stock it really kills our business. All we are asking for is a place to be able to run our business. Anyone who would like to help us would be welcomed,” said Phakula.
Details: Golden Phakula 072 682 5436.
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