Rotondwa Musitha, 30, is leading with purpose. From Makhado, Limpopo, she envisioned a career in economics, but her path shifted to environmental innovation — and in 2018, she founded Trash Converters, a waste management and recycling company now operating in three municipalities and employing 14 people. As managing director, Rotondwa oversees strategic planning, operations, stakeholder relations and financial management. In 2024, she launched a mobile recycling unit in Vhembe district, an initiative that allows residents to exchange recyclables for cash — merging environmental responsibility with direct economic empowerment. Her model speaks to the vision of transforming waste into opportunity. An MBA candidate at Regenesys Business School, Rotondwa holds multiple qualifications in business administration, procurement and environmental systems. Her leadership and innovation earned her the top prize at the WomenPreneur Pitch-a-ton Africa competition. She is also a dedicated mentor, volunteering with organisations like Tshianeo and One Way Change to guide youth — especially young women — on business, leadership and environmental awareness. Her late grandmother remains her greatest inspiration.
I look up to and admire my late grandmother more than anyone else. She embodied resilience, wisdom and an unwavering spirit of compassion. Growing up, she taught me the importance of ubuntu — that profound philosophy meaning “I am because we are”. She showed me that true strength lies not only in personal achievement, but in how you uplift and carry others with you. Her quiet dignity and ability to find joy even in challenging times have always inspired me. She did not just tell me how to be a good person; she showed me every single day through her actions.