The circular economy has created boundless opportunities for many South Africans who were at once down on their luck!

South Africa (16 October 2024) — The circular economy is a pretty hot topic in today’s terms. Not only is it one of our biggest assets in the fight to curb environmental damage caused by traditional capitalist waste, it’s also something that’s created an entirely new revenue stream for many previously disadvantaged communities; making it a win-win for socio-ecological upliftment!

What is the Circular Economy?

In a nutshell, the circular economy refers to cleverly reusing and regenerating products and materials, often in new ways, preventing items that otherwise would have ended up in landfills from getting there. These refurbished or upcycled products can then be sold to help people put food on the table and range across waste sectors—from the fashion industry’s waste to eWaste.

Upcycling-focused businesses like Bin to Beauty (who turn waste from wrappers and packets into accessories), organisations like Shoose Life, who create school shoes for students in need from waste materials and communities like Re.Bag.Re.Use who turn what were once plastic bags into fashion are fantastic examples of local upcycling legends.

Uplifting South Africans Through the Circular Economy

In addition to the above, there’s Taking Care of Business; an ever-growing social enterprise that shows us how much is possible when you put people and the planet first.

While they primarily work in fashion-focused fields, repairing and refurbishing electronic items is also a big part of their circular economy.

TCB works by empowering struggling South Africans (many of whom are unemployed mothers) to become their own bosses by facilitating not just technical skills but business and life skills.

They largely use donated retail waste items as stock for their different programmes—Resell, Repair and Remake. Participants are then trained as part of a two-year programme and thereafter, are equipped to start their own businesses!

TCB’s work is a testament to how the circular economy has uplifted struggling South Africans. Looking at figures from the past financial year, the overall picture starts to look a lot like hope:

• 2,276,542 ‘waste’ items were donated to TCB programmes
• 905 unemployed people were recruited into these programmes
• 1188 participants are active in the two-year programmes
• 986 programme graduates still access and sell the stock
• R71,8million is the estimated profits made by participants and graduates
• 86,3 tons of e-waste has been received

eWaste

Just yesterday, National eWaste Day was acknowledged—a time when eco-savvy communities reflect on the fact that more needs to be done to tackle the stream of waste that stems from our electronic devices.

eWaste is a pretty tough nut in the bigger barrel of environmental problems. Unlike fashion, the skills to repair electronic devices can be much harder to access.

But, TCB has created a model that works through its Repair Programme.

“In this programme, participants (mostly men) are taught how to repair damaged appliances for resale. They also resell cell phones and other mechanical items that would have been thrown away. His year, TCB’s Repair programme has already processed 104 tons of potential eWaste. The majority of these items have been repaired and repurposed, preventing them from ending up in landfill. A victory for eWaste management!” Shares co-founder Tracey Gilmore.

 “TCB is actively adding value by reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and repurposing supply chain waste. What we absolutely can’t use, is recycled. It is a mutually beneficial situation since waste is being turned into economic value while reducing the burden on scarce natural resources. TCB collects, debrands and redistributes this excess merchandise and retail waste without additional costs to the supply partner. These donated items have a social impact by supporting unemployed South Africans on their journey to self-employment and social and financial independence. It’s a win-win,” she says.

To keep the programme going strong, businesses and even individuals are urged to make donations of ‘stock’ to TCB. From appliances that just don’t work like they used to or old clothes that need new life, everything has a place in their ecosystem.

You can find out more about donationshere.

Sources: Supplied 

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Morumotsho Charcoal has been going for eight years

Matatiele, South Africa (15 July 2024) — Eight young people from a small village in the Eastern Cape are making a living producing and selling charcoal from invasive trees.

Morumotsho (“Black Forest”) Charcoal was started eight years ago by Atang Ramabele, from Nkasele, 18 kilometres from Matatiele. After an unsuccessful trip to Johannesburg to look for work, he returned to the village and invited some friends to help him set up the charcoal business.

The group works Monday to Friday, cutting down silver wattle and black wattle trees and burning the wood in 350 litre barrels. The charcoal is packed in 25kg bags and they produce about 400 bags a month, which they sell from house to house and to supermarkets in Matatiele.

For the last ten months they have been paid R1,800 each by business start-up company Avocado Vision. Project coordinator Mpho Monyai said the contract was to have come to an end on 31 May but was extended to the end of June.

“The idea behind the stipend is to assist small businesses to pay the employees for ten months so that the business can be sustainable,” said Monyai.

The group now hopes to find other supporters and to expand their business. They have a single chainsaw and say the demand for charcoal is such that they could sell more if they had more equipment.

Nthabeleng Olifant, the only woman in the team, has been there since last year.

“I am doing almost everything that the male colleagues are doing beside the chainsaw, which I am unable to operate, and carrying the barrels because they are too heavy. I am now taking care of my two children,” said Olifant.

Her colleagues Potlako Lepheana and Kamohelo Masoana say they are grateful to Ramabele for approaching them.

“I couldn’t say no, because should I say no, who will give me money at month end? The little I am getting here is helping a lot,” said Lepheana.

Kamohelo Masoana says through this work he can take care of his family of six. No-one else in the family works and Masoana had to leave school after grade 11 to work on a farm.

Thabiso Letula, advisor to chief Nkasele Lepheana, says the trees are on the chief’s land and the team has been given permission to use the wood.

“We are always encouraging young people to open job opportunities, especially here in the rural areas. We have enough land here. We encourage youth to look into farming as well because not everyone will get a job in the urban areas,” said Letula.

Sources: GroundUp

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Hundreds of thousands of people became employed in Q2, lowering SA’s unemployment rates! Better yet, that’s not the only good news for our employments stats:

South Africa (16 August, 2023) — South Africa’s unemployment rates have taken a turn for the better; with over 100 000 people becoming employed in Q2. This comes after Q1’s unemployment rates left numerous South Africans feeling despondent; showing naysayers that while the employment rates are nowhere near where they should be, a turnaround has come about for the best.

According to Statistics South Africa which released its latest quarterly report yesterday, the number of employed persons increased by 154 000 to 16,3 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2023.

In addition, the number of unemployed people went down by 11 000, while discouraged work-seekers decreased by 94 000 compared to Q1; which Statistics SA highlighted as a net decrease of 1 000 in “the not economically active population”.

In even more good news, unemployed youth rates saw 105 000 young people get jobs, the formal sector employment increased by 143 000 and community and social services saw a massive employment gain with 63 000 people.

Overall, South Africa’s unemployment rate has dropped from 32,9% in Q1 to 32,6% in Q2.

Small victories are still victories!

Sources: Statistics South Africa

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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The UCT Online High School ecosystem has been designed to service South African learners from a broad range of socioeconomic means… and they are hiring!

Western Cape, South Africa (09 October 2021) –  In July this year, the University of Cape Town (UCT) launched an online high school in partnership with a Cape Town-based education technology company, Valenture Institute, and in doing so, became the first university on the African continent to extend its expertise and impact to the secondary schooling market through an innovative online modality.

The public response has exceeded all expectations, indicative of the global need for innovation in the education sector. Across South Africa’s cities and towns and the African continent, parents, learners, and teachers have shown interest in this revolutionary education offering, with over 5 000 learner applications for January 2022 and climbing.

To meet this demand, the Valenture Institute and UCT Online High School are currently hiring over 300 new staff members across South Africa – from teachers, mentors & learning coaches to teaching assistants, software developers, content creators & learning designers. All to help create the most impactful school in the country with changemakers who care about systemic change and thrive in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment.

Providing everything employees need to feel happy, healthy, resourced and developed, there are more than a few reasons to be excited about joining Valenture Institute & UCT Online High School. They’re a team of mothers, fathers, dreamers, innovators, and believers, and they don’t just believe in a brighter future; but believe in doing everything they can to make it happen.

Employees of Valenture Institute & UCT Online High School have access to a variety of work benefits such as a family member tuition discount, remote work, voluntary saving programme, birthday leave, ‘wellness Wednesdays meditation sessions & referral bonuses.

What to expect from their 6 stage online recruitment process:

1. Find a job you’re interested in and fill in the online application form

2. Complete a 10-18 minute assessment so they can get to know you better

3. It’s then time for a video interview

4. Get a feel for your future job and show them your talent by mastering a role-based assignment.

5. Ask and answer questions in a live interview with your future team members

6. Sign your offer letter and prepare to join a rocket ship

All available positions can be accessed here for online applications:

In September, the UCT Online High School confirmed the placement of its first Director & Principal, Ms Yandiswa Xhakaza, who is an avid educationalist. ‘I begin my tenure in this new innovative chapter this November, ahead of January 2022, when we will welcome our first official cohort of learners across Africa. With the aim to create the most impactful school in the country, The Valenture Institute and UCT Online High School are currently hiring over 300 new staff members from teachers, mentors & learning coaches. We’re calling on the public to join us as we change the face of education today, for our children’s collective futures’, says Yandiswa Xhakaza.

The UCT Online High School ecosystem has been designed to service South African learners from a broad range of socioeconomic means. The UCT Online High School offers a CAPS-aligned curriculum and enables learners in grades 8-11 in any corner of the globe the opportunity to study at a monthly fee of R2 095 per month, making it one of the most affordable private schools in the country. Grade 12 will be offered from 2023.

Admissions for the UCT Online High School opened on 21 July 2021 and has been met with great interest ahead of school commencing in January 2022. Learners will benefit from the UCT Online High School’s supported self-discipline model, which allows learners to pace their own learning and get high quality 1:1 tutoring from expert teachers and support coaches whenever they need it. Learners will also be prepared with a unique range of university and career preparation services and offerings.

For more information on the UCT Online High School, please visit www.uctonlinehighschool.com.

Sources: UCT Online High School 

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here. 

Click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes that there’s good news all around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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