A reclaimers journey

Putting a name to face seen regularly within the community is important. It lays the foundation for a sense of ease to spread across the neighbourhood.

Bearing this in mind, meet 36-year-old Luyanda Hlatshwayo, a reclaimer who many within the Brixton might have seen. He frequently engages with other reclaimers as they make sure to keep the community clean.

One person who has chatted to Hlatshwayo on several occasions is local Kate Ballenden, who runs a non-profit called Food Circles 108. Their paths crossed after Ballenden’s organisation run various projects with the African Reclaimers Organisation (Aro), a body Hlatshwayo organises for.

Ballenden explained this organisation was formed as a response to the city wanting to discontinue the informal reclaimers system. Aro is said to currently be working in collaboration with the corporate sector to integrate the informal waste management system into the formal system, to be properly recognised by industry and government as a valuable resource to society.

Hlatshwayo grew up in Soweto with his grandparents, and went on to study accounting and baking at tertiary level but had to stop due to lack of finances. With his mighty can-do spirit, his first job was in admin and dispensary for a pharmaceutical company.

For some eight years, he managed a satellite clinic then went on to work in the hospitality industry as a restaurant manager in bars. It was in 2011 that he was introduced to recycling after he was not able to pay his rent and his friend suggested he try it out – and he has been involved ever since.

From Hlatshwayo, what Ballenden finds most inspiring is how he, as she put it, lives his talk, “He is on the ground, reclaiming himself,” she concluded.