Thandisile Fatyela

Born in the Northern Cape town of Hanover, Thandisile Fatyela’s was raised in a working-class community. A growing interest in environmental issues during his high school years in Cape Town sparked a calling — one that would see him become a leading figure in South Africa’s green economy. Thandisile, 32, holds two qualifications from the University of the Western Cape: a BA in geography, tourism and environmental sustainability studies and an honours in environmental management and applied GIS. He is also a certified assessor, internal auditor, and registered pest control operator. As the managing director of Fatyela Enviro Works, he leads operations across environmental projects funded by institutions such as WWF-SA, the EU, GreenCape, and the City of Cape Town. His leadership has earned him four major municipal contracts and a role as a featured protagonist in the Of The Future documentary screened at the 2025 Joburg Film Festival. He also serves as a ward committee member in the City of Cape Town and a board member of the Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum. He is driven by a deep, personal mission: “I hate poverty. I’ve lived it. Now, I work day and night so that future generations don’t have to.” Mentored by social impact entrepreneur Sabelo Lindani, Thandisile’s motto is: “Lead with purpose, not ego.”

• Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Tourism and Environmental Sustainability Studies, University of the Western Cape
• Bachelor of Arts honours in Environmental Management and Applied GIS for Geography, University of the Western Cape
• Certificates in Learning Programme Design and Development, Learning Programmes Facilitation and Learning Programme Assessment
• Registered assessor with CATHSETA
• Registered Pest Control Operator with the National Department of Agriculture
• Internal Auditor certification, IRCA Global

• Featured as a film protagonist in the Of the Future documentary series, a global youth campaign in partnership with the European Union. The documentary was screened at the Joburg Film Festival 2025
• Secured four environmental projects/contracts awarded by the City of Cape Town through Fatyela Enviro Works, a business focused on sustainability and compliance
• Contributed to various projects and initiatives funded by the European Union, GreenCape, Table Mountain Fund, WWF – South Africa, Nature Connect, CapeNature, the Western Cape government, and the Heinrich Böll Foundation

I look up to Sabelo Lindani, a black entrepreneur from Somerset West. I admire him because of his work and social impact in job creation, and the significant role he has played in improving people’s lives. I say this because I also worked for him during the early stages of his company. At that time, in 2019, we were only four employees, but now, in 2025, his company has more than 100 employees. This kind of growth and impact inspires me greatly. He has influenced my journey, as I still consult with him for advice and support, which has helped me significantly in shaping who I am on my entrepreneurship journey. My business is currently part of his company’s (Contour Enviro Group) Green SMME Development Programme, and he has assigned me a business mentor for four months (March to June 2025). This mentorship has been invaluable.