A recent R10 000 donation to groundWork and the South African Waste Pickers Association (SAWPA), by the IIE-Vega School Durban will make a difference to waste management and it will uplift communities.
groundWork has been a partner organisation of SAWPA since the association’s inception in 2007. The donation formed part of the campus’ annual year end corporate social investment initiative.
The funds will go toward registering waste pickers in remote areas around South Africa and providing essential personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and face masks which will contribute towards ensuring safer and more sustainable recycling practices across the country.
Musa Chamane, Waste Campaigner at groundWork highlighted the significant impact of the donation.
“Waste pickers across the country earn a living from recycling, different materials like plastic, cardboard and cans. The funds will help us register waste pickers from remote towns so that government can better support and plan for them,” he said.
Chamane also noted that in the early 2000’s, waste pickers were not recognised by government. However, through advocacy by groundWork and SAWPA, waste pickers’ rights and guidelines on how they could be integrated into each municipality were brought to Parliament. During COVID-19, waste pickers were recognised as essential service workers.
Naretha Pretorius Campus Head IIE-Vega School Durban said groundWork and SAWPA was a clear choice for the campus as their values align with that of the IIE-Vega School’s sustainable development goals for 2025
“groundWork is a phenomenal non-profit justice organisation with remarkable waste management initiatives.
“It is people, community and environment focused, driving both social and environmental cause through justice for people who need it most, making a real and meaningful difference to our world. Our students have learned so much working with groundWork on their community initiatives, and to provide a donation, was a small gesture for a big cause,” said Pretorius.
Louise Wiseman, Managing Director IIE-Vega School, The IIE’s Varsity College and IIE MSA) said, “We believe that supporting the communities in which we live is not only our responsibility and thus it is interwoven into our curriculum and culture.”