Love your Benoni and clean it
Benoni is a close-knitted community according to 39-year-old Samantha Choles, who is passionate about the environment and recycling.
BCT: Why is Benoni so important to you?
SC: It is my home; I have built an incredible network of friends and acquaintances. My family, friends and church are here. I have everything I need in Benoni except a wine farm.
BCT: You were born in Benoni, but what makes Benoni unique to you?
SC: It’s a real community; I was born in the Life the Glynnwood Hospital.
The degree of separation from one person to the next is small. I always joke that Benoni is a small place; you have to be careful what you say! I wouldn’t live anywhere else.
BCT: You are currently a Farrarmere resident, but how long have you lived in Benoni ?
SC: Apart from a few years in Pretoria (where I studied) and Boksburg (after I married) I have been here for 33 years.
BCT: Tell us about your passion for recycling?
SC: For as long as I can recall I have been passionate about the environment and nature.
But I started recycling about 15 years ago.
Five years ago I took on the Paper Manufacturing Association of SA and the Paper Recycling Association of SA as clients and my passion, interest and knowledge about the renewable and sustainable nature of paper making and recycling has grown.
As a household company we not only recycle paper but also plastic, cans, e-waste and glass.
I also have a worm farm for kitchen scraps and veggie peelings which makes some lovely compost.
BCT: Apart from recycling, what do you do as a day job?
SC: I work in corporate communications and public relations field serving a variety of clients in mine health and safety, forestry, pulp and paper. Does being a mom of boys also count as a “daily job”?
BCT: You are currently working in the corporate sector and you are a mom and wife, but what do you do in your spare time?
SC: I enjoy gardening, scrap-booking, baking and running.
BCT: You are quite busy; do you have any other future plans?
SC: Make it to next week unscathed!
My biggest dream is that our boys grow up to be men of integrity and spirit.
From a career perspective I want to keep balanced so that I can spend time with my boys, Daniel (6) and Oliver (3) and my husband, Aiden Choles.
