Mandela Day 2025: ORT SA & Pikitup Turn Trash Into Treasure For South Africa’s Youth

This Mandela Day, ORT South Africa (ORT SA), in partnership with Pikitup, transformed the concept of waste from a civic challenge into an opportunity for youth empowerment. Organised by ORT SA’s passionate Green Committee, the Waste Management Workshop brought together the ORT SA Family and Hudaco & RJ Connect End-user Computing Learnership students for a day of learning, fun, and forward-thinking.

The workshop wasn’t just about raising awareness—it was about sparking innovation. From a high-energy quiz (with Takealot vouchers up for grabs) to the exciting Trash or Treasure game, participants discovered how the waste sector can open doors to entrepreneurial ventures and sustainable livelihoods.

Is Waste the Next Big Opportunity in South Africa?

South Africa faces a mounting waste crisis. Overflowing landfills, rising e-waste, and illegal dumping are creating both environmental and health hazards. But what if the country’s waste problem could be transformed into a solution for unemployment? At ORT SA, we believe it can.

“Waste isn’t just a problem—it’s a powerful opportunity,” says Smith Semethi Solomon Kelomo, Manager of Environmental Education Awareness & Community Development at Pikitup. “Indeed, I don’t imagine Pikitup without ORT SA, or ORT SA without Pikitup. Pikitup and ORT SA cannot be separated.”

The 6Rs: A Framework for Change

Pikitup introduced participants to the 6Rs—Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle, and Respect—a practical framework for driving sustainable action. By embedding these principles, young South Africans can not only shift their environmental habits but also develop skills to build recycling businesses, repair workshops, and upcycled product ventures.

Why Corporate South Africa Should Care

South African corporates face increasing pressure to achieve Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets. Partnering with organisations like ORT SA allows companies to make a tangible difference through:

Sponsoring skills training programmes.
Employee volunteering initiatives.
Joint sustainability campaigns that combine impact with innovation.

Nelson Mandela once said, “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.”

This Mandela Day, ORT SA and Pikitup proved that tackling waste and creating youth opportunities can go hand in hand. Now, we call on businesses, community leaders, and changemakers across South Africa to join us in transforming waste into wealth, and challenges into change.

Mzansi Pulse

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Mandela Day 2025: ORT SA & Pikitup Turn Trash into Treasure for South Africa’s Youth

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