RECYCLIST EAGER TO CREATE JOBS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN DIEPSLOOT COMMUNITY.

INSPIRING: Solly Mhlongo is an inspiration to many people living with disability in South Africa.

Maleka Charles

He wakes up early in the morning, normally around four o'clock to prepare for work.

Something he's been doing for almost two years now, pushing a trolley laden with cans and bottles to make ends meet.

"My dream is to create jobs for other people in my community." Jomo said.

Solly Jomo Mhlongo is a recyclist, passionate about his work, and one of his dreams is to keep our environment clean.

He's been recycling for virtually two years now with love and confidence, until recently when he started a company called Heritage Boastful Recycling (PTY) Ltd, an idea he told me was inspired by his disability, since he believes no one can hire him.

"The reason i started a business like this is that, i realised no one can hire me with my disability."

In 2008, Mhlongo was diagnosed with a kidney failure and had undergone operation at Helen Joseph, Johannesburg. 

This meant he would never be allowed to do heavy duties ever again. But that didn't stop the strong Mhlongo from being his own boss oneday.

For this reason, he started collecting cans for recycling as the only means of making ends meet.

"My challenge is that people give me funny names, and motorists insult me whenever they see me pulling my trolley on the road.

He can be very happy he said, if he can get the appropriate equipments to do his work, and a store room to keep his commodity safe to avoid talks from his neighbours, who almost burnt his work a few years ago in Diepsloot, ext 1.

"I remember at some point my neighbours wanted to burn my property, because they said i was making their yards dirty." Said the ambitious Mhlongo.

However, Mhlongo is a strong and optimistic man, you wouldn't tell he is vertically disadvantaged once you see him at work.

Although he said, this business helps him to exercise, the main reason for having started a company like this is merely for three reasons.

The first one being to keep Diepsloot clean, to make a living out of recycling and contribute fully to creation of jobs for many young South Africans piffling with unemployment in the country.

So in a democratic country that supports people with disability, i sat down with Bra Jomo to find out more about his work, business and him as an individual.

 

MR MHLONGO TELL US ABOUT HERITAGE BOASTFUL RECYCLING PTY Ltd?

Heritage Boastful Recycling is a recycling company that collects, buys and sells Aluminium, copper, metals, cardboxes, batteries, brass, Sub grades and many other waste materials.

The company was started in 2017 May 11 and is located in Diepsloot, ext 1.

We are also a black owned company that seeks to keep its environment as clean as possible.

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF YOUR COMPANY?

To end up employing other people and keep our environment clean.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION?

At the end of the day, i want to have a great business nationally and have branches every where in the country.

WHO ARE YOUR TARGET MARKET?

We target shopping malls, complexes, clinics, hospitals, taxi ranks and schools around the community of Diepsloot.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE WHO WISH TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR COMPANY? 

People can expect a good service and the work that is undesputed.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO MAKE SURE YOUR BUSINESS SURVIVES IN THE MARKET?

For now i sell some staff i collect from the people and the streets.

WHAT KIND OF HELP DO YOU NEED FROM OTHER COMPANIES, INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT?

I need them to help me with a workshop, and donation of quality trollies, and i'd like them to help me buy a bakkie i can use to collect, and transport my works to recycling stations.

And i also need funds to buy all equipments i need for operation.

HOW MUCH DO YOU MAKE WITH RECYCLING?

I make plus or minus  One Thousand rand per delivery a weak.

DO YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO TAKES CARE OF YOUR FINANCES?

Yes i do, currently i'm working with Mr. PME Schalkwyk, who is a professional accountant.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE IN YOUR BUSINESS?

I don't have enough money to buy equipments required to do my work, like buying trollies and having a bakkie and a workshop, where i can assemble my property.

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?

My motto is simple, keep pushing until you get what you want, cause with God you can do all things.

WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE?

Confidence and courage and faith that God is alive and can help as well.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE STATE OF RECYCLING BUSINESS IN SOUTH AFRICA?

It's a great business that may people undermine and if you can do it, it will take you far because you will never stop recycling, cause there are always things to recycle.

WHAT DO WANT TO ACHIEVE WITH HERIATGE BOASTFUL RECYCLING IN FIVE YEARS TO COME?

I want to have more branches in South Africa and to have great investments and be part of economic development.

WHAT'S YOUR LAST WORD OF ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WISHING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES BUT ARE STRUGGLING?

They must have hope, confidence and perseverance in order to achieve their goals.

THANKS MR. MHLONGO, WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR BUSINESS ENDEVOUR.

Thanks and you are welcome.

Solly Mhlongo is a reliable and honest person, and if given a much deserved assistance in growing his business, he can undoubtedly contribute a lot in terms of growing the economy as he said, and act as an inspiration to many people living with disability in South Africa.

And also with jobs at a high scarcity, the Heritage Boastful Recycling Pty Ltd pledges to play a pivotal role in helping the state to reduce the escalation of unemployment, by creating jobs for young people in the black communities.

 

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