Unemployment rate is one of the major issues the majority of South Africans face. However, there are those who strive to overcome and tackle it.
Pule ‘Jahman’ Lebaka from Pimville Zone 3 started his own recycling business collecting bottles, boxes, plastics etc. as a way of fighting unemployment. One of the main advantages of recycling is that it keeps the environment clean and healthy.
Lebaka says his business has helped him put food on the table for his family, buying basics for his children and putting a smile on their faces. He started his business in 2012 and it expands every year, which is a huge success and satisfaction for him.
“My business has helped me refrain from bad behaviour such as stealing, and substance abuse as these are some of the negative factors affecting our community at large,” said Lebaka.
Recycling benefits people in various ways which may include, reducing the amount of garbage sent to landfills and natural resources are being depleted.
One of the best solutions to reduce the amount of trash produced and reusing existing materials, conserving natural resources and sustaining the planet for future generations.
“The government has promised to supply us with protective gloves and boots to reduce the risk of getting injured while working,” said Lebaka.
He reckons that recycling is a risky job for them because there are dangerous routes they use to deliver waste to landfills and thus they need some form of transportation to deliver.
“Most companies are benefiting from this because they do not need to start the recycling process from scratch,” he added.
Although there are some challenges Lebaka might face such as lack of material and machinery for his business, most of the people in the community have considered recycling as the easiest way to earn a living, it has to be the safest way of empowering themselves and not putting their lives at stake.
Lebaka says that he is looking for assistance from relevant sponsors, to make his business grow enormously, in order for him to hire other people and empower the community.
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