This Mandela Day, The Waste Trade Company (TWTC) brought the true spirit of community, collaboration, and environmental education to Khaya Mandi in Despatch, with a heartfelt initiative aimed at empowering residents through recycling and sustainable living.

With the theme “Working together to keep communities clean,” TWTC hosted a full day of hands-on activities that included a community cleanup, gardening, weeding, and the painting of TWTC’s local workshop container—a team effort that completely transformed the space.

The response from the community was phenomenal. Over 70 adults (excluding the 12 women who are part of the community centre itself) and around 55 children—as young as two years old—showed up to support the centre and honor Mandela Day through action. Families, youth, and elders all pitched in—working side by side in the garden, pulling weeds, picking up litter, and brightening the space with a fresh coat of paint.

“It was incredible to see how the whole community came out, rolled up their sleeves, and did their bit,” said Emmy Nxayeka, TWTC’s Community Liaison. “The energy was beautiful—young and old, mums and dads, kids and teens—everyone came together to give back.”

The initiative went far beyond cleaning. TWTC used the opportunity to educate the community about proper recycling practices through a live recycling talk and demonstration. The team emphasized that not all waste belongs in landfill, and that recycling can be a practical, empowering step anyone can take.

Support for the centre didn’t stop there. Several donations were made to boost the centre’s ongoing programs, including:

? Used gloves from Isuzu
? Used uniforms from Woodlands Dairy
? Wool to kick-start the sewing and knitting workshops
? Paper cups and face masks from Khanya Cleaning

TWTC also sponsored:
? Paint and brushes for the container project
? Bread, mixer juice, and refreshments for the volunteers
? Awesome prizes from Polyco, Packaching, and PETCO

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) supported the event by providing black bags and general waste collection services, helping ensure the cleanup efforts had a lasting impact.

“If Madiba were here, we believe he would’ve been proud of what we witnessed in Khaya Mandi—real community connection, education in action, and a cleaner, more hopeful environment,” said Emmy.

This event built on TWTC’s long history of Mandela Day activations, such as the unforgettable Recycle Relay Race with SPAR in 2017/2018, where teams competed under Big 5 animal names in a fun, fast-paced recycling challenge.

And the mission continues. TWTC’s next cleanup is scheduled for Monday at Seaview, near the old Clarendon Marine pump station, in partnership with Moumi, Penny, and the NMBM. The team will once again be out in full force, bringing awareness, support, and action to another community in need.

Media Contact:
Emmy Nxayeka
? 084 028 5734
? info@thewastetradecompany.co.za
? www.thewastetradecompany.co.za