South Africa's unemployment crisis continues to pose significant challenges, especially for young people like Given Ngwamba, who struggled to find employment despite holding a Diploma in Sound Engineering from the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa. Turning to innovation, he developed environmentally friendly methods to produce charcoal and briquettes from agricultural waste, including groundnuts, sugarcane, macadamia shells, and mango leaves. Today, his business, TNK Greenhouse Technology produces green briquettes popular for their long-burning characteristics.
However, building a green business presented hurdles, including lacking human resources, market facilitation and access to advanced equipment like a briquette-making machine, which limited production capabilities. Avo Vision as one of the strategic implementing partners of the Social Employment Fund (SEF) under Avo Vision's Green Business Value Chain (GBVC) provided a lifeline for Given’s business, TNK Greenhouse Technology. Through the programme, Given received business acumen training and human resources costs were covered by the employment stimulus funding, enabling the business to expand its operations and workforce.
As part of SEF’s third phase, launched in August 2024, TNK Greenhouse Technology now employs 17 previously unemployed participants. These individuals not only gain job experience but also attend Avo Vision’s ‘Boosting Your Income’ training, equipping them with entrepreneurial and financial literacy skills to ensure sustainability should SEF support cease.
Avo Vision’s training modules, such as ‘Boost Your Income,’ reach participants across South Africa through online platforms like WhatsApp, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. This community-based training empowers participants with financial skills, entrepreneurial thinking and a pathway to job security or business creation.
Given’s business is currently diversifying into biochar for soil amendment in agriculture and expanding into firelighters. Through Avo Vision’s SEF programme, Given has transformed his passion into a thriving business while empowering his community. His advice to others is clear: “Follow your passions and your dreams. Green businesses are challenging, but with courage, doors will open.”
To combine environmental restoration with economic development, Avo Vision's Green Business Value Chain (GBVC) initiative is a leading force in sustainable entrepreneurship in South Africa. The initiative has successfully created over 1600 jobs in green business in the past two years while clearing thousands of hectares of invasive species, demonstrating how environmental challenges can be transformed into economic opportunities.
By collaborating with Avo Vision, stakeholders gain access to a proven model that transforms invasive biomass into value-added products like charcoal, briquettes and firewood. Furthermore, Avo Vision’s expertise in programmes implementation, combined with its commitment to capacity building and fostering innovation, ensures that partners contribute meaningfully to creating a sustainable future while achieving measurable impact and creating meaningful livelihoods.