Tackling poverty through recycling
A local entrepreneur is on a mission to clean up Durban while eradicating poverty in his community.
DURBAN Beachfront, to some, has become known as a dirtbin because of littering.
But if a local entrepreneur has his way the scourge of garbage on Durban’s Golden Mile could be a thing of the past while at the same time providing a steady income for himself and other members of his community.
Nkosentsha Shezi, who hails for KwaMashu has started his own recycling company. Shezi started the company in February, after taking part in a business training course at the Grace Family Church in uMhlanga as part of a skills development programme offered by the church’s non-profit organisation, Grace Aid.
Since then the 39-year-old said he has managed to recycle, on average, three tons of non-biodegradable waste per week. He now has his sights set on recycling 10 tons per week.
In the infancy of his business he focused only on plastics, but has since been able to include paper and cans.
“I have noticed a lot of garbage lying around devaluing our communities. I have also realised that the environment cannot handle the amount of waste that is dumped on daily bases. My aim is to beautify the community while fighting poverty,” he said.
Through his small business Shezi has been able to provide income to 27 people from KwaMashu, Inanda and Ntuzuma, who collect and sell recyclable waste to him. He also has five workers who assist him with the cleaning, cutting and weighing of the materials before it is sold to suppliers.
“It has been a turning point to see people benefiting from my idea, and humbling to know that there are families who are dependent on that bit of income. For some this bit of money means that there is food on the table. It has given me that extra push to just keep going,” he said.
What’s more, the passionate businessman also hopes to create awareness regarding recycling, especially among the youth.
“I have begun to cultivate environmental awareness by interacting with schools and getting children involved in recycling. They need to be taught that they can’t litter,” he said.
The environmental junkie has also been involved in clean-ups at the J-Section creek in KwaMashu as well as Blue Lagoon.
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