SEBOKENG.- Lehlohonolo Mosala (22) is one of the young people who is a victim of unemployment and has to hustle to survive.
This young man from Boiketlong informal settlement survives by recycling, collecting items, and taking them to a scrapyard to be recycled. Sedibeng Ster recently bumped into Mosala in Sebokeng pulling a heavy trolly full of items he had collected.
When this journalist approached him, Mosala was reluctant to talk but as soon as it was explained to him that his story might inspire other young people to do something about their lives, he started to open up about how he ended up doing what he is doing.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Mosala said he collects the items and takes them to be recycled at a scrapyard at Taubazaar Scrapyard in Sharpeville. He said that he makes R 300 in two weeks and the money was more than enough to survive. He told Sedibeng Ster that it is now three years since he started this recycling business.
“I am from Boiketlong and I told myself instead of being involved in wrong things I would rather collect these items and take them to a scrapyard to make money. It is not easy to be a young person because some of us are forced by circumstances to end up where we are now.
“It is not only me alone, as you can see when you look at open spaces there are others who are busy collecting items. This is the best way for us to survive without being involved in crime,” said Mosala.
This is the biggest challenge in South Africa, most young people end up being involved in crime because of a lack of jobs, “big up” to young people like Mosala who don’t let their frustrations lead them into trouble.
Mosala’s story inspires other young people to start doing something with their lives. However, it is important to note that, the community has a wrong impression about young people like Mosala especially those collecting items for recycling, calling them names.
Sedibeng Ster will continue to look at young people who do something positive about their lives regardless of their circumstances.
