Menu
About 100 000 households in Msunduzi Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal do not have their refuse collected every week. Frustrated residents are forced to dump their refuse at illegal sites or burn it, exacerbating pollutions levels. That is why small businesses like Mk Green Solutions are so important.
Phumelele Mahlinza, the 34-year-old co-founder of MK Green Solutions, has turned a personal mission into a thriving business that is not only tackling waste but also making a positive impact in communities around the province and on the environment.
The waste management crisis in Pietermaritzburg is difficult to ignore. Piles of garbage bags line the streets of the Central Business District (CBD), rural areas, townships and local landfill sites. “Our municipality isn’t able to handle the waste effectively, and I wanted to be part of the solution,” she explains. This vision led to the birth of MK Green Solutions, a company dedicated to sustainable waste management and recycling.
MK Green Solutions started small, with Phumelele and her two brothers using a Ford Figo for their initial community clean-up efforts back in 2018. Today, the company employs 9 staff members. “Creating employment opportunities and making a positive contribution to the community and environment brings me immense satisfaction,” says Nomawundlu.
Unlike traditional waste management businesses, the company focuses on collecting waste in the most underserved areas – rural areas and townships – where municipal waste management services are non-existent. In areas like France township, Willowfontein, and Impendle, MK Green Solutions has launched initiatives to encourage residents to exchange waste for vouchers redeemable at local spaza shops. This is providing community members with a source of income while keeping the streets clean and supports the local economy. It’s a win-win solution that is getting her noticed.
“We were appointed by the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality to recycle large volumes of waste and we collect twice a week,” said Nomawundlu.
Ten million tons of food waste end up at landfill sites every year in South Africa. What sets MK Green Solutions apart is their commitment to maximizing the value of waste. They separate general waste from food waste, which is then composted instead of ending up in landfill sites – unlocking more value through a circular economy approach to food waste.
The company also provides Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, offering clients a detailed account of their recycling impact. “We ensure that we create the most value from waste by ensuring that all recyclable waste is recycled,” Phumelele emphasizes.
Operating in a predominantly white male industry has not been without challenges. “Being a black young woman in this industry means constantly proving yourself to clients,” Phumelele shares. Despite starting with little knowledge of the industry, she worked hard, conducted thorough research and equipped herself with the necessary information to succeed.
As with many small businesses cash flow remains a significant issue, especially with clients sometimes delaying payments. However, a new billing system is helping them overcome this.
Phumelele’s journey from an architectural technologist to a waste management entrepreneur was inspired her grandfather, a successful entrepreneur during apartheid. He owned buses, taxis, a supermarket and a butchery. “If he could succeed back then, I can now with all the resources available to me,” she says confidently.
This young woman’s work at MK Green Solutions not only addresses critical waste management challenges but as the company continues to expand its reach and impact, she is inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs who share her commitment to creating a greener, more sustainable country.
This article first appeared in Isolezwe.
Phumelele Mahlinza is a participant on the SAB Foundation’s Tholoana Enterprise Programme, an 18-month business accelerator powered by Fetola which supports the lasting success of businesses from across South Africa, particularly those owned by women, youth and people living with disabilities, and those in township and rural areas.
Share this article:
About the Author
Terrena Rathanlall is the SME Media Portfolio Manager at Fetola.
