Resident requires help to continue recycling project

Passionate about keeping the community clean, Ditaba Khune from Matlwang Village in Ikageng, established an NPO, Tshwaraganang Community Services, in 2016 to collect and recycle the community garbage.

Things went well for the NPO at first, but after a few months, members got discouraged and stopped working. Just six months after the NPO was founded, Khune had to discontinue it but continued to work alone.

Determined to clean the community, Khune persevered and carried on with what he had started. “I have a passion for collecting waste and keeping the area clean, so I was not easily deterred,” he said.

During his six years of collecting waste, Khune spent time volunteering and sometimes earned a stipend. Although the income was inconsistent, Khune says it helped put food on the table for him and his family.

It has been four months since Khune last received any payment, and he has, unfortunately, had to put the project on hold. His bicycle wheels are giving him trouble, and he needs money to fix them.

“I was the first person to run this project, and I was running it on an empty stomach,” he said. While Khune is still determined to help keep his area clean, the small challenges he faces and the fact that he is not earning an income make life difficult. He asks the community to help him with any donations, big or small, to help him continue his work. If anyone is interested in this project, contact Ditaba Khune at 083 894 8860.