33recyclinginternational.com | January/February | 2022
Leading ladies of scrap
HOW DO YOU LOOK BACK ON
THE RECOGNITION YOU’VE
RECEIVED SO FAR?
‘It was amazing to be part of the
Recycling International Top 100 last
year and also winning R1.19 million
(EUR 70 000) as part of the Äänit
Prize, the Mandela Rhodes
Foundation’s new award for social
impact. I feel torn between being
proud, shocked, and even “Imposter
Syndrome” as there is still so much for
me to do as a young ceo.’
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ITEM
OF CLOTHING?
‘My Lukhanyo Mdingi scarf. He is one
of my favourite African designers and
epitomises “slow fashion” and what a
conscious design process looks like.
The scarf is made from Merino wool
sourced from the Eastern and Western
Cape in South Africa. The wool is
woven by hand locally using an
ancient technique called felting to cre-
ate a texture that is really soft and
cosy in winter.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE GOING
THROUGH THE PANDEMIC WHILE
RUNNING A START-UP?
‘The last two years have been incredi-
bly impactful for our business and
team. Firstly, the pandemic allowed us
to stress test our business model and
develop a more resilient one.
Secondly, it taught us to embrace
uncertainty which has made us even
more flexible and agile in our way of
work.’
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR
THE FUTURE?
‘This year, I want to improve our office
space and invest more in R&D while
we grow and upskill our team. The
prize money will help us on our way.
Looking further ahead, say to the next
five years, I hope we’ll have more
facilities so we can reach communities
across South Africa.’
Fotobijschrift
KADERKOP
??
Esethu Cenga.
WOMEN IN RECYCLING
32-33-34-35-36-37_womeninrecycling.indd 33 01-02-2022 10:27
