Local Biz sets to ignite influence towards change
The database they will build, he said, would ensure that these people are placed properly and are recognised as small recyclers.
A group of young people in Dobsonville kicked off their June 16 Soweto Youth Development Uprising, completing community outreach tasks around the area dedicated to enhancing their environment.
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The campaign led by Lerato Chepape, founder of Che-Nza, which deals with waste management and recycling, marked the launch of its support that will be in place for young people in Dobsonville and surrounding area.
Chepape explained that the campaign was invested in working with the youth to move the country’s future and economy forward.
“Our youth in Soweto and other townships are in a very dire state as they find themselves at the worst unemployment levels, and the economic climate has made it harder.
“It is difficult for opportunities to get to the people that really need them but we want to change that,” said Chepape.
He said the company was motivated to establish a youth development hub, to address the impact of high unemployment. The development hub will expose the youth to career opportunities and jobs in both the formal and informal sector.
He said key to this programme was targeting young people including those from rehab centres, homeless people and ex-offenders, who are keen to change and looking for opportunities but can’t get them because of their background.
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Chepape told Urban News that they will begin with 20 youth; they will teach them recycling and waste management
“We have these organisations where we rehabilitate and place these guys when they come out of rehabs. They are unable to find jobs. We want to take those guys and employ them in the meantime and get them clean for the real world,” he stated, adding that once they were allocated a site, the number was likely to increase.
The database they will build, he said, would ensure that these people are placed properly and are recognised as small recyclers.
“Recycling has been made informal and reduced to nothing. These are small recyclers who are hardly recognised by these big companies, so if we can formalise them. The point is to get them to see that the waste can generate money.”
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Talking about the partnership between Che-Nze and Ruth Foundation, the founder Makeng Motsamai said, “We want to show them that there are lots of opportunities for them and the importance of being responsible citizens and raising the flag of our country,” she said.
“I was a youth myself, who was active during the ’76 uprising, we understand and recognise the challenges faced by the youth of today.
“We want to show them that there are opportunities, and we will stand by them and open these doors into jobs, and also empower them so that they can create employment for other youths.”
