Two young people fight unemployment through recycling
Sibusiso Zwane and Sammy Mathibe are recycling to keep the environment clean
With unemployment being one of the major issues the majority of South Africans face, two Daveyton youngsters are turning waste into a fortune.
Sibusiso Zwane started his own business collecting bottles, boxes, white paper and plastics last year to counter unemployment and to support his family.
Now, the 26-year-old is appealing to the community or business owners to sponsor him with a 3D printer so he can manufacture furniture with recycled goods and employ other young people.
Sibusiso said he also needs mentorship to enable him to grow his business and a new trolley because the one he uses is broken.
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“I would like to go back to school to complete my matric because I dropped out in Grade 11 due to financial reasons,” said Sibusiso.
“My business has helped me refrain from bad behaviour, like stealing or using drugs, which are some of the negative factors affecting young people today.”
Sibusiso said he enjoys recycling as it keeps the environment clean and he also loves interacting with the different people he gets to meet when he does his daily collections.
“We all come from different backgrounds and I know some peers may look down on me, but I don’t care about their opinions because I can put food on the table.”
He said young people should stop complaining about unemployment.
“They should allow themselves to think outside the box and try to make something for themselves,” said Sibusiso.
Another youngster, Sammy Mathibe, is using wooden pallets to make furniture that he sells to the community.
The 35-year-old was a street vendor and he wanted to put his woodwork skills to use.
“I have always loved woodwork and it was one of my subjects at school, however, due to a lack of finances I couldn’t study further,” said Sammy.
“I saw a gap in the market. With this business, I keep myself busy and my friends also get the opportunity to assist me when I have to produce a lot of furniture.”
Sammy said he wants to build a bigger workshop where he can teach other young people woodwork.
He also needs new equipment that can help him produce his work faster.
Anyone who would like to assist these young entrepreneurs in any way can contact Sibusiso on 064 484 2155 or Sammy on 079 713 9268.
