On 5 November 2019, pre-schoolers and parents from Qhamani Pre-School learnt all about turning waste into meaningful resources.
Isuzu Motors South Africa (Isuzu) has adopted the pre-school, which is situated a few kilometres away from the Struandale assembly plant, and provides schooling to its 70-plus children from ages 2 to 6 years who live in Zwide and surrounding areas.
Isuzu’s Environmental Manager, Ncedisa Mzuzu, said the school was introduced to the benefits of reusing items discarded as waste.
“Bulk waste that is not correctly managed potentially ends up in the ocean. As residents of a coastal city, we are especially motivated to manage pollution from source and to reach the community at a grassroots level. By teaching children to recycle, we hope to shift perspectives on the immediate and long-term impact of pollution, while demonstrating that waste can be turned into an income-generating resource,” said Mzuzu.
Partnering with local recycling business The Waste Trade Company, Isuzu donated two bakkie-loads of recyclable waste that employees from the Struandale plant collected from their homes to boost volumes at the school’s drop-off point. The Waste Trade company will buy the waste from the school and continue doing so on a regular basis.
Money generated from the waste will be paid directly to Qamani Pre-School. The Waste Trade Company’s School Project Coordinator, Emmy Nxayeka, explained that waste can provide the school with ongoing income.
“We will empty these recycling bins regularly, and we encourage other corporate companies to bring their bulk waste here for collection to benefit the school,” said Nxayeka.
Isuzu also donated recycling bins to the school for waste separation, and The Waste Trade Company presented a puppet show with their mascot Nondalo, who taught the children, parents, and teachers about recycling.
Qhamani Pre-School Principal Nonzame Mbana said she was excited about the recycling programme at the school. “It has great potential, and parents have been enthusiastic about sending plastic and glass bottles to school. Fundraising is very difficult, but this way we can be self-supporting,” said Mbana.
Chairperson of the school’s governing body, Thembeka Gidimi, said that along with fellow parents at the school, she appreciated Isuzu’s support that enabled the school to start their recycling initiative.
Qhamani Pre-School’s long-term vision is starting a recycling swop shop like those already established in Walmer, Colchester and Seaview, where community members can swap recyclables for food and clothing.
Pictured above:
Teaching the children about responsible waste management and recycling are Qhamani Pre-School Principal Nonzame Mbana, back, The Waste Trade Company’s School Project Coordinator Emmy Nxayeka, with puppet ‘Nondalo’, middle row left, Isuzu Motors South Africa’s Paintshop and Environmental Manager, Ncedisa Mzuzu and front pre-school learners Bulungisa Cengani (6), left and Zingce Melani (6).
Contacts:
Gishma Johnson, Corporate Communications Manager
Phone: +27 (041) 403 2167 gishma.johnson@isuzu.co.za
About Isuzu Motors South Africa
Isuzu Motors South Africa is a wholly owned subsidiary of Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan. Isuzu has had a presence in South Africa since 1964, when the first commercial vehicles entered the market, which was soon followed by the introduction of light commercial vehicles in 1972. The brand’s popularity grew and resulted in local production of light commercial vehicles in 1978. Today, Isuzu remains one of South Africa’s leading commercial vehicle brands and has become renowned for its durability and reliability. For more information on Isuzu products visit www.isuzu.co.za
