By Palesa Mohlamme
The founder and director of Lehaja Environmental Keepers (pty) Ltd, Thebe Lehaja, focuses on cleaning the illegal dump sites in Moroka North and White City in Soweto.
Thebe funds his company to do services in Soweto, but the business is open to local investors and funding from the government. Currently, the company employed 7 people around Soweto and through the business Thebe is able to feed families and make a difference in the township.
Gauteng News spoke to Thebe, “We have received a lot of verbal support from the community members saying it’s a great idea since it encompasses social and environmental health issues that also acts as a mitigation mechanism to crime.”
Lehaja added that the business aims to meet Pikitup half way since it does not clean illegal dumping around the township, the company also acts as call agents to people who are renovating their houses seeking to get rid of rubble, which also assists in minimizing rubbles dumps in illegal dumping sites.
“My motivation to start this business is also rooted from the environmental qualifications I hold from University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, besides wanting to help the community of Soweto to stay in an environmentally healthy environment,” said Lehaja.
However, currently the business is facing financial challenges that hinder Lehaja Environmental Keepers to fulfill its mandate and mission as a company.
Small businesses in the township are lacking support from the government and private sector to function and, therefore, this contributes to high unemployment rate in South Africa. Lehaja highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship, and how young people can eradicate the scourge of unemployment in the townships.
“As a small business we are facing financial difficulties and that affects our output as a company. My company consists of seven members and these people are breadwinners at their homes and they need to support and sustain their loved ones but it is a problem when you work free because you also need to survive. I would like to call upon the government and private sector to fund small business and allow us to contribute in the township economy”, said Thebe.
