Mahlatse Mamaila

Nominee's Province:
Gauteng

Age:
32

Project Name/Description:

More info:

Reading about the advantages of recycling sparked a business idea that has added Mahlatse Mamaila to the list of climate-responsible, environmentally conscious young people doing their part towards net-zero. This climate ambassador recycles waste cooking oil and converts it into clean fuel, or biodiesel, which is then used in mining equipment, construction, generators, fleet and even airplanes. In partnership with women and youth in rural communities, her company undertakes agricultural development for food security and the processing of organic cooking oil. By preventing waste oil from entering the rivers in her community, she ensures that residents can have access to clean water. “I read about the advantages of recycling waste cooking oil and after realising that many of my peers are unemployed, losing their small businesses and jobs due to Covid-19, after further research, I found an industry built in renewables. It was an article that drove me to take action,” says Mahlatse. Unfortunately, regrets Mahlatse, not all young people want to bear climate responsibilities. “A large contingent of young people remains isolated from nature. Coupled with the mindset that cleaning up is ‘someone else’s problem’, many young people don’t enjoy or have the desire to care for the environment,” she observes.