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Glencore released a nationwide call for Youth owned initiatives who were set on making a positive impact in their respective communities. The mining giant used its social media platforms to find inspirational stories of young people who were rolling up their sleeves and playing their part to create progress in their communities. 

Coming up at the top as one of the two chosen winners is Youth Social Entrepreneur Thami Gazide who owns a community gardening project in Mpumalanga, and is planning to impact even more people through the support received from Glencore. 

Gazide of Middleburg, started the Philanathi Golden Stars, a non-profit organisation, in 2016 with the aim of helping those in his local community dismantle poverty through food security.

Inspired by the belief that a candle loses nothing by lighting another, he began organising food parcels for indigent families. With support from corporates including Glencore which contributed food parcels to the initiative, Gazide developed the initiative to involve turning illegal dump sites into community food gardens in 2018.

Philanathi, which is the recent recipient of the R20 000 cash prize from Glencore, now oversees four community food gardens supporting 36 families in the community. The aim of the gardens is to help communities and families become self-sustainable.

“Whatever they produce on the gardens is theirs to sell, to start businesses and empower themselves,” said Gazide.

Glencore's support for the project is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to support SMMEs in communities near its operations so they can contribute to local economies. Glencore’s two divisions, Glencore Coal and Glencore Ferroalloys also have their respective Enterprise Development programmes, which provide entrepreneurs with the necessary skills and mentorship they require to sustain their businesses. 

When asked why he thinks his initiative was chosen as one of winners to walk away with the cash prize, Gazide said the company has always been at the forefront of supporting small businesses in his community. 

“I think Glencore fell in love with the idea that we are teaching people to sustain themselves. My proudest moment was the day I started lighting these candles, knowing we were changing people's lives and giving them the hope that they are not alone. Seeing people grow and being able to transform their lives even in the smallest way inspires me to do even more. Winning this competition means Glencore is ensuring that we are always there to light more candles and I cannot wait to change more lives” said Gazide.

Glencore also awarded the R20 000 cash prizes to Bongani Maphanga of Tukakgomo in Limpopo.  

Maphanga, 27, runs The Operation with Denice Shoe Repairs, an enterprise which involves the repair and supply of shoes to learners in his community of Steelpoort.

“I am very dedicated. I am doing wonders with this small initiative and looking forward to grow so I can create jobs for others,” said Maphanga.

His project involves repairing shoes, polishing them and even sourcing new pairs for disadvantaged children from his community. He offers his service free of charge to the learners around the community. 

“Since I started this initiative, learners are excelling in school with shoes that are in good condition. Bad shoes can lead to a lack of concentration in class or even bullying. That's what inspires me, I don't want to see learners going to school with shoes that are in a bad condition when I am available to fix them for free.” he said.

“The Youth Month competition means a lot to me and my business. It shows that there are people outside who I am inspiring and I would like to thank Glencore for choosing me as one of their winners” Maphanga added.

He plans to use his cash prize to buy more material as well as new tools, and also hopes to save some of it so he can invest it in another worthy initiative in future.

“I would like to say to young people that they must not lose hope, they must keep pushing and they must be dedicated and humble. The fact that a company as big as Glencore could recognise my work means there is a chance for anyone to succeed. So don’t give up.” he concluded. 

Issued by Glencore