Sifiso turns his waste-picking past into an initiative that cleans up the city and supports the lives of hundreds of reclaimers!
Johannesburg, South Africa (19 August 2026) – Sifiso Gumbi once relied on waste reclaiming as a way to survive. Through it, he found an opportunity to help hundreds of other reclaimers build livelihoods.
The latest episode of The Hope Dealers introduces us to some of Jozi’s most essential yet often-overlooked workers who help keep the city clean while earning a living for their families.
Mandy Wiener’s search for everyday changemakers continues in episode three of her new series that celebrates the people who work to make the country better, often without much recognition for the good things they do.
This week, she meets the team behind Urban Surfer South Africa, an organisation bringing jobs to Joburg’s informal waste reclaimers while changing the way we see and think about recycling.
Urban Surfer was founded by former waste picker Sifiso Gumbi and his partner, John Kullmann, after experiencing firsthand the challenges faced by reclaimers. The organisation works to change the way reclaimers experience their work, by helping them earn a safer and more sustainable income.
Waste reclaimers play an essential role in the city. They help divert massive amounts of waste from landfill by collecting, sorting and selling recyclable materials like plastic and cardboard. Their work keeps Jozi clean, extends the lifespan of landfill sites, and reduces pollution. All while earning an income for families in communities where jobs can be incredibly hard to find.
Despite the value of their work, they are often overlooked.
“People choose to shut them off and not even see them because they don’t look presentable because they’re dirty,” says Sifiso.”Yet those same people are the ones who are saying we need cleaner cities. We need a circular economy. The first people who are dealing with the waste that you produce, that you consume, you do not even pay the slightest attention to.”
Urban Surfers wants to change the way the city sees its waste reclaimers.
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Community Steps in to Save Felix from Cruel Death – Look at Him Now!The recycling initiative has grown into one of Gauteng’s most innovative community upliftment projects. The organisation supports more than 450 reclaimers across Joburg and surrounding areas. With recycling hubs, branded trolleys, protective equipment and through partnering with businesses, the organisation helps create more reliable income opportunities.
The impact of this initiative has been massive. During one nine-month period alone, just 50 reclaimers collected more than 700,000 kilograms of recyclable plastic worth around R1.4 million!
Urban Surfer is the third of ten inspiring stories featured in The Hope Dealers, each introducing South Africans who are making the city a better place in practical ways.
You can follow Mandy’s journey via her social media. Check out her Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X for more information.
The series will also be available on Primedia+, EWN and across Primedia and Mandy’s social media platforms. The audio interviews will also be released as podcasts and broadcast on The Midday Report.
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