Water, Sewage & Effluent January February 2019 | Page 28

win-win for both businesses — the
manufacturer receives the material
they need at a good price and collects,
and the boiler-ash-generator client
has their waste disposed of, plus it’s
collected, and they get paid for it!
WSE: What are your short-term goals
for Green Output Solutions?
AM: Finding and securing month-to-
month contracts for working capital, so
that we can take care of our monthly
operational costs.
WSE: What is your vision for the
company’s long-term goals?
AM: To grow the business and expand
our footprint. We have formed alliances
with partners in neighbouring countries
such as Botswana and Zambia, so that
we can get our name out there. Also,
to sharpen our service offering, to
increase awareness. We would like to
be a market leader and find alternatives
for waste so that it is diverted away
from landfill sites and used as a
commodity. Our very ambitious goal
right now is diverting all organic waste
in Gauteng to compost, by venturing
into agriculture commercially, through a
project that is close to my heart — One
Household, One Garden — that brings
people closer to the environment,
beyond waste recycling. If we set a
milestone like this for ourselves, we can
start the process and make it happen.
Over 11 million tonnes of organic waste
are going to landfill each year, which
is totally unnecessary, and something
needs to be done.
WSE: Which three adjectives
describe your strengths?
WSE: What does the SAB KickStart
Programme mean to you?
AM: The programme has changed the
way we operate our business and has
broadened our horizons and opened
doors. It’s provided us with tools and
has given us an appreciation of the
benefits of having systems in place.
It has taken us back to the basic
principles of how to manage your
business — the right way. And it has
taught us the importance of action, and
made us aware that we need to be out
there ‘doing’ — so that we are seen and
recognised. When the process started,
we were one of the top 50 companies
in the programme, and then we were
one of the top 21 — which is a huge
achievement in itself.
WSE: What key activities would you
advise aspiring entrepreneurs to
spend their time doing?
AM: Practising discipline. Practise
discipline with your finances, your work
and deadlines, and your time. Owning
your own business takes 10 times more
effort to keep it going. Don’t have the
mentality that “It’s my company, I can
get there at 10:00”. In fact, you have
to get there at 05:00. Always be there
when it’s important. Be there when the
doors open, and be there to ensure that
the work is done.
WSE: What single most important
piece of advice would 33-year-old
Andile give to 19-year-old Andile?
AM: Listen to yourself. Listen to your
gut and take your own advice. Don’t
listen to Mom — who really has your
best interests at heart, but wants you to
have that ‘profession’ in a professional
capacity, like a lawyer, or an engineer.
Business is where your heart is, and
what you want. It is your talent. It is
your calling. Follow it.
WSE: If you were to write a book about
yourself, what would the title be?
AM: 10 Baby Steps to One Great Stride.
WSE: Where to from here? What are
your future aspirations?
AM: Future aspirations for my business
is to create awareness for the people
of South Africa, so that they can see
waste as a commodity. I’d like to help
create systems to make it easier to see
waste as part of the economy.
I also aspire to be an example to
young girls; to show them that anything
is possible. That despite humble
beginnings, they are capable of
building empires. All it takes is a vision,
strong drive, and hard work!
Over 11 million tonnes of organic waste are going to landfill
each year, which is totally unnecessary, and something
needs to be done.
AM: Passionate. Compassionate. Goal-
driven.
The awards
The SAB KickStart winners were
announced at an awards ceremony held
on 28 November 2018, by which time
the 21 young entrepreneurs selected
as finalists had created a total of 178
jobs in their respective communities as
a result of the support provided by the
programme.
As one of two finalists in the
environment category, Andile did
not win in her category, but regards
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herself and Green Output Solutions as
winners regardless. The SAB KickStart
Programme has been a recipe for Green
Output Solutions’ success every step of
the way, and for that, Andile is extremely
grateful. From helping entrepreneurs
gain access to market, assistance
with business opportunities in large
companies, assistance with aligning to
big business supply chain requirements,
and opportunities offered within targeted
market linkages, Andile could not have
asked for more.
Water Sewage & Effluent January/February 2019
Green Output Solutions has benefitted
greatly from having been given an
opportunity on the platform to increase
market access, and to connect with
appropriate local stakeholders within the
community so that more people can adopt
their services and support their business
growth. In anybody’s book, that’s what
makes a winner — and there’s no doubt
that for Green Output Solutions, with all
the insight gained from the programme
in terms of business alignment and
productivity, the sky is the limit.
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