Originally published on 8 February 2025

In Soshanguve South, a community recycling project shows how local action can promote sustainable development, create jobs and support a day care centre., 

What is the problem?

Soshanguve South faces issues with waste management, with frequent illegal dumping harming the environment and causing health risks. At the same time, there is a very high rate of unemployment in the community and limited opportunities for childcare. 

How are they fixing it?

A group of motivated residents, led by William Makhanedise, started a community recycling project to tackle waste management, create jobs and earn money to support a community day care centre. 

What makes it work? 

• Taking initiative with limited resources: The effort started when Makhanedise recognised a need to create a daycare centre for unemployed parents to have a safe place to drop off their children. Workers at the centre focus on collecting, sorting and recycling materials, turning a problem into an opportunity. With the money earned from collecting and selling recyclables, the community of Shoshanguve South has constructed a day-care centre and upgraded the building of the recycling centre, including new toilets.

• Support from government: The wages of workers at the day care centre and recycling programme are paid by a government-funded initiative to provide work to unemployed people, the Community Works Programme or CWP.  This partnership with government is important for the project’s long-term success.

• Passionate staff: Lerato Petho, a childcare worker at the centre, says, “My love of children is beyond measure…I enjoy what I am doing and appreciate staying busy since unemployment is high.” 

• Economic empowerment improves well-being: The project helps improve the overall well-being of Soshanguve South, by providing job opportunities and promoting environmental care. It enables residents to earn a living and improve the quality of their lives.

Acknowledgements

Original article: Soshanguve South’s recycling project promotes positive community development in the Daily Sun by Keletso Mkhwanazi

Photograph: Keletso Mkhwanazi