IN an effort to facilitate recycling, Durban’s very own recycling entrepreneur, Nkosentsha Shezi, is hoping to go viral on social media. The 39-year-old recently produced his own three-minute video on the Envirobuddies project and recycling, after attending a nine-week course on film production at the Grace Family Church in uMhlanga. He has since shared it on his Facebook page.
“It is all about spreading the message. I would like to see my story inspire other Shezis to use what they have to provide for themselves and create sustainable jobs for others. I want to show more people that we can care for our environment at the same time,” he said.
The environmentalist said he hopes that it also proves to aspiring film students that they don’t need fancy equipment to produce a professional short film.
“They should follow their dreams. With passion anything is possible,” he said.
Shezi, who hails for KwaMashu started his small recycling project in February. He has since been able to provide steady income to 52 poverty-stricken people from KwaMashu, Inanda and Ntuzuma, and, on average, recycles three tons of non-biodegradable waste per week.
In the infancy of his business he focused only on plastics, but has since been able to include paper and cans.
“My aim is to beautify the community while fighting poverty,” he said.
The short film tells the story of how the protagonist, Shezi, is inspired to start a recycling project, after he starts cleaning his trading stand in the KwaMashu city center. Contact Shezi via e-mail on envirobuddies1@gmail.com.