WasteAid Celebrates 15 Graduates in Diepsloot for completing a Waste Management Programme.
WasteAid participants engaged in a classroom session at the Father Loise Blondel Centre in Diepsloot. Picture Provided.
Maleka Charles
WasteAid, a UK-based international NGO known for uplifting black communities across Gauteng through sustainable waste management, celebrated the graduation of 15 participants on Friday.
The graduates were awarded with certificates for successfully completing a six-month programme aimed at equipping local “wastepreneurs” with practical skills in recycling, business development, and environmental sustainability at Father Loise Blondel Center in Diepsloot.
Speaking at the event, Unathi Nikani, The training facilitator and mentor, urged the graduates to view their achievements as a stepping stone to grow their businesses and to ensure that their communities understand the importance of proper waste management.
"Training is well and good to get skill, as WasteAid we thought, let's give people skill, to propel them forward. We want you to take this as a step to move forward." said Nikani.
He added that the organisation would follow up with the wastepreneurs to monitor the progress they have made since completing the programme.”
"We promise to come back at least ones a month to check your progress so that we continue to work with you."
In addition to certificates, the graduates also received starter toolkits, including boots, work suits, and toolboxes, among other essentials, to help them kickstart their waste management businesses.
One of the graduates and budding wastepreneurs in Diepsloot, Dennis Masedi, expressed his happiness at completing the programme and said he was looking forward to applying the skills in his business.
“I feel blessed because, since starting the programme, I have developed valuable technical skills,” said Masedi.
“I’m also happy to have received the toolkits, as they will help me to move forward. look, It’s challenging to work without the right tools, but now I feel confident knowing I have everything I need.”
Unathi Nikani thanked the graduates for their determination and hard work, encouraging them to continue inspiring and uplifting their communities as they put their new skills into practice.
WasteAid is a UK-based international non-governmental organisation dedicated to empowering communities in Africa and beyond through sustainable waste management.
The organisation provides training, resources, and support to help local entrepreneurs—often called “wastepreneurs”—turn waste into business opportunities, improve livelihoods, and promote cleaner, healthier environments.
