Repurposing mining waste a winning idea for teen team

A start-up business idea to turn mining waste into building material helped a team of two high school learners from Sir Pierre van Ryneveld High School in Kempton Park scoop the top place at a national entrepreneurship programme.

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Petu Ndlovu and Karabo Motshane’s idea won them several prizes, including bursaries from Regenesys, Richfield and the University of Johannesburg for the contribution to the Primestars’ Step Up 2 A Green Start Up National Youth Green Entrepreneurship Programme.

The winners were announced at the National Youth Entrepreneurship Awards on December 8 when the young finalists rubbed shoulders with sponsors and high-profile guests, including former first lady Zanele Mbeki and Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu.

“We know that mining waste is an issue and causes disease because of poisons. This was a problem that we wanted to turn into a business opportunity,” said Ndlovu.

“We did our research and realised we’d be able to turn this waste into building materials, such as bricks and roof tiles.”

Ten teams of learners and their teachers were chosen as finalists from a field of 500 team entries.

Before the awards ceremony, the finalists travelled to Johannesburg, where they took part in a business boot camp that culminated in a Dragon’s Den style pitch where they had to sell their concept to sponsors.

The programme equips 12 000 learners from under-resourced communities across South Africa to contribute to job creation in the green economy.

“A combination of a green economy transition and entrepreneurship support can pave the way to unlock economic value, fight climate change and improve human well-being,” said Martin Sweet, MD of Primestars, at the awards ceremony.

“South African youth must take advantage of the many opportunities the Green economy provides. To reduce our high unemployment rate, they will need to learn the skills and develop the competencies that will enable them to create businesses and become gainful employers in a circular, restorative, inclusive and clean economy.

“Our initiative, Step Up 2 A Green Start Up, talks to these goals.”

The Step Up 2 A Green Start Up National Youth Green Entrepreneurship Programme comprises four elements:
• Edutainment feature film (Karabo’s Kitchen)
• Entrepreneurs’ Tool Kit
• Step Up 2 A Start Up National Youth Entrepreneurship Competition
• The Boot Camp and National Youth Entrepreneurship Awards

“As we reach yet another incredible milestone in our journey, I would again like to thank our sponsors. You truly are heroes who helped start the fires of enterprise, igniting new businesses, glowing with entrepreneurial passion and purpose, resulting in low carbon, resource-efficient and socially inclusive planet,” said Sweet.

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