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Musawenkosi Moyo
THE adage “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” rings true for scrap metal collectors like 53-year-old Mlamuli Nyoni from Luveve suburb in Bulawayo. This is because discarded scrap metal has become a source of livelihood for him and his family.
“For the past 13 years, the scrap metal business has been my lifeline. It has enabled me to not only put food on the table but also provide for my children’s education. It’s honest work, and it has allowed me to build a decent life for my family.”
Nyoni starts his day early, hitting the streets with his pushcart by 6am. Sometimes, for larger hauls, he hires a car. His workday stretches until 5pm, scouring for scrap metal to sell to recycling companies and scrap metal dealers.
“My income varies,” Nyoni explained. “On a good day, I can make between US$90 to US$130. It all depends on the market price of scrap metal that day, along with the quality and type of metal I manage to collect.”
Nyoni said his family did not support his career choice at first. He said back then, scrap collecting was not seen as a respectable trade. However, over the years, his family has become his biggest supporter, especially as the scrap metal industry itself has flourished.
Another scrap metal collector Tawanda Moyo (19) said he ended up collecting scrap metal because he could not find work in his field after finishing school.
“I started collecting scrap metal two years ago after finishing my Ordinary Level examinations and failing to find employment. My family was supportive because it meant I could make my own money without resorting to criminal activities like many of my peers,” said Moyo.
According to a scrap metal dealer operating at Kelvin North industrial area, Themba Khumalo (60) scrap metal business is an easy and relatively quick way to make money.
“The scrap metal business is what you call ‘ready cash’ because scrap metal is always available, meaning that there is always a potential to make money,” said Khumalo.
Khumalo said the scrap metal business was not only financially rewarding but also environmentally beneficial.
“By collecting scrap metal and other recyclables from dumps and waste disposal sites, people are essentially contributing to environmental clean-up efforts,” he explained.
Khumalo said people have come to realise the benefits of dealing in the scrap metal industry which has made the industry more competitive with more sellers and dealers now involved. He explained that they sell their materials to industries in Kwekwe and other Bulawayo-based recycling companies.
Online Reporter