The Water Air Food Awards (WAFA) is a global platform that aims to celebrate community-led solutions tackling the world's most urgent environmental challenges.

In South Africa's townships, waste cooking oil flowed unseen into drains, rivers and landfills, quietly polluting water sources, clogging sewer systems and creating serious public health risks.

At the same time, youth unemployment remained critically high with little access to upskilling opportunities. By empowering women and youth, Lathitha Biodiesel aims to address two crises through an integrated solution.

Public voting is open now until Thursday, 30 April. The Generation Green Forum will be hosted at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, Egypt, Summer 2026.

The Problem: Pollution and Unemployment Intersect

In South Africa, many township communities were unaware of the environmental damage caused by the improper disposal of waste cooking oil. Oil poured into drains and dumped in open sites led to blocked sewage systems, contaminated rivers, damaged wetlands and increased public health risks, says WAFA.

Meanwhile, youth unemployment, particularly among young women in underserved communities, remained persistently high, with access to green skills training and sustainable economic opportunities severely limited. The intersection of environmental harm and economic exclusion required a solution that could address both simultaneously, adds WAFA.

A Circular Economy Powered by Women and Youth

Phumzile Khoza began by aiming to raise awareness in communities about the dangers of improper oil disposal, then establishing a structured system to collect that waste and transform it into something valuable. Lathitha Biodiesel collects used cooking oil from households, food outlets and small businesses, converting it into clean, renewable biodiesel through a circular economy model that retains value within the community.

Through practical training programmes, unemployed youth and women are able to be equipped with practical skills in green energy production, entrepreneurship and sustainable business operations, generating new green jobs and income opportunities in communities where both have traditionally been limited, says WAFA.

With support from Sasol Energies, Lathitha Biodiesel is constructing its first commercial-scale biodiesel plant, with a planned production capacity of approximately 200 000 liters in its next operational phase. Supply agreements with Sasol-linked clients aims to ensure increasing turnover and long-term commercial sustainability.

Impact

  • Over 1 000 community members benefiting from reduced sewage blockages
  • Over 250 youth and community members engaged in oil collection and biodiesel production
  • pollution reduced in water systems through responsible waste oil collection and disposal
  • air quality improved  through replacement of fossil fuels with cleaner biodiesel, and
  • green jobs created for youth in underserved communities.

A Blueprint for South Africa and Beyond

Lathitha Biodiesel aims to demonstrate that climate innovation can be inclusive, community-driven and economically viable. By integrating environmental protection with workforce development, the initiative enhances township participation in the green economy while reducing pollution at its source, says WAFA.

The model is replicable across South African townships and communities facing similar challenges of environmental degradation and economic exclusion, providing a practical pathway to clean air, clean water and sustainable livelihoods for underserved communities across the continent.

WAFA has recognised 18, "Silent Heroes" since 2008, reaching 84-million people across 82 countries. 

"These are real people creating extraordinary impact from the ground up. They are often unseen, often unheard and the world needs to recognise these silent heroes, and the nature-based initiatives they are leading," concludes Tina Lindgreen, CEO and Executive Chairperson of WAFA.

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*Image courtesy of contributor