During Youth Month, South Africa celebrates the energy and ambition of its innovative young people who are making a powerful impact in their communities. Thabiso Hlongwane, the 32-year-old founder of Greener Pastures Recycling, is a proud champion of the circular economy and is a testament to how empowering young entrepreneurs can directly translate into meaningful employment for their peers, while fostering a greener and inclusive economy.
Thabiso’s passion for sustainability and transformation is the bedrock of Greener Pastures. The company specialises in comprehensive on-site waste management, with services ranging from waste collection and transportation to sorting for recycling. Their mission: to significantly reduce landfill waste while creating tangible benefits for their clients, including cost savings and a reduced environmental footprint.
His operation includes a buy-back centre that enables community members to exchange recyclable materials for cash, supporting informal collectors while reducing waste to landfills. Additionally, Greener Pastures manages mall-site waste collection for a major property group, providing a clean, efficient service while maintaining strong environmental standards.
“This opportunity has opened doors for employment and growth,” shares Thabiso. “Not just for us but for the community at large.”
When this young entrepreneur first joined Fibre Circle’s SMME Development Programme, Greener Pastures had just 13 employees. Today, its workforce has grown to 56, all of whom are young people. In an economy where youth unemployment remains one of the country’s most pressing challenges, this growth speaks volumes about what is possible when passion meets opportunity.
The Fibre Circle SMME Development Programme was designed to equip micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprise owners with the tools to scale their operations and refine their strategy. Through joining this initiative, Thabiso was provided with crucial support that fuelled the growth of Greener Pastures and helped him create more employment opportunities.
“Not only was I able to create 43 new jobs, but the 56 individuals who now work for Greener Pastures gained valuable skills in our country’s growing green economy,” reports Thabiso. “This enabled them to contribute to their families and communities, and to building their futures within a company dedicated to positive environmental change.”
Understanding that sustainability and entrepreneurship work together, Thabiso then launched a dedicated composting division. The service collects food scraps and non-recyclables and converts them into high-quality, nutrient-rich compost, diverting waste from landfills while creating specialised roles within the expanding Greener Pastures team.
Beyond this, the company is deeply rooted in community upliftment, actively organising monthly “Batho Pele Clean Up” campaigns that mobilise volunteers from the community to tackle litter and educate residents on waste management. This commitment to education and shared responsibility underscores Thabiso’s belief in collective action for a cleaner environment and more economic opportunities for South African youth.
Thabiso’s story from passionate founder to job creator offers hope and demonstrates that a remarkable vision can translate into tangible results. And it is merely one of many enterprises to benefit from Fibre Circle’s SMME Development Programme’s tailored business development support, mentorship, and access to funding partners.
“Fibre Circle is committed to building a more sustainable, inclusive economy in South Africa,” says Edith Leeuta, CEO of Fibre Circle. “One of the ways in which we achieve this is by partnering with and supporting MSME owners who are ready to grow their business, sharpen their strategy, and boost operational efficiency.”
The success of Greener Pastures perfectly embodies this commitment, standing as a model for how meaningful youth development and enterprise growth can align. It shows that young South Africans who are equipped with the right support and driven by a vision for a better future are not just seeking jobs but are actively creating them and are succeeding in building thriving enterprises that empower their generation and give back to their communities.
As he continues to grow his business and expand his reach, the young founder remains focused on the bigger picture: building a greener, more inclusive South Africa, one job and one recycled item at a time.
“We appreciate everyone that continues to believe in us and our capabilities to provide the best services,” concludes Thabiso. “We promise to continue creating opportunities for young people in our community.”
Learn more about Fibre Circle’s SMME Development Programme here.
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