PE’s dustbinpreneurs learn to survive in lean times

Mkhuseli Sizani

When they lost their jobs due to Covid-19, they looked for different opportunities – and the four young men from Govan Mbeki Township, Port Elizabeth are making money while serving their community. 

Bonile Fadana, Sinesipho Ndlaleni, Siviwe Lokwe and Siphelele Maswana came together last year and formed the Govan Mbeki Youth Movement and they have created jobs for themselves and another two youths from their kasi. 

Bonile told Scrolla.Africa he was a security guard, Sinesipho worked at a retail shop and Siviwe was a waiter.

“But we had no income because of the lockdown. We approached Buyile Mtimkulu for a job in his tyre business but he advised us to think about dustbins,” said Bonile.

“He advised us to approach the community and ask to remove their bins from their homes on collection days.”

The idea yielded good results.

“Since September we have achieved a lot. We have 38 customers and we put out and wash their bins on Wednesdays when the municipality collects rubbish. We charge R15 per week,” he said.

He said they have bought garden tools to offer garden services and the service is going so well that they have created two jobs for two assistants.

“The garden project is also doing well and we have opened a car wash with the income from the garden services and we are selling energy drinks to motorists,” he said.

In giving back to the community for their support, they assist the elderly by planting their vegetable gardens. 

“This is our Vukuzenzele. Other youth can also learn from us. We thank Buyile for his support and guidance.”

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