Mediamec Mpact Recycling employee Vhonani “Vhoni” Nemukondeni has risen from an entry‑level position to become a trusted safety, health and environment (SHE) representative earning respect in a largely male‑dominated recycling industry and championing both community welfare and workplace safety.
Since starting in 2010, Vhoni steadily built her skills and confidence, eventually being chosen by colleagues to represent them on matters relating to health, safety and environmental concerns at her workplace.
“When I started … in this largely male‑dominated industry, it was quite a challenge … I had to earn respect by working hard and adopting a solutions‑driven approach to my work,” she explains.
Her employer equipped her with knowledge and training, enabling her not only to assert herself confidently, but to help open doors for other women seeking income through recycling and to support efforts to clean up their communities.
Vhoni notes that the waste‑management sector has seen meaningful advances in gender inclusion. She has witnessed “a noticeable shift in equality and equal‑opportunity improvements,” with more women entering and making their mark in the industry.
At Mpact Recycling, the annual collection reaches approximately 600 000 tonnes of materials including paper, cardboard, plastics, glass and cans through both residential and office‑estate programmes. These efforts heighten recycling awareness while simultaneously creating economic opportunities for many.
In her role as SHE representative, Vhoni ensures safety compliance in the workplace, identifies hazards, and helps uphold health and environmental standards, serving as a vital link between staff and management all in line with the requirements of the relevant South African health and safety legislation.
Her journey, from entry-level worker to respected leader, showcases how dedication and empowerment can help transform the recycling and environmental sector and serves as a powerful example of leadership, sustainability, and community impact.g
