Millicent Nyembe of Nyembe Waste Management
No stranger to recognition, Millicent Nyembe’s specialised work in medical waste management has earned her accolades since 2014 when she earned her place in the SAB top five young entrepreneur awards and more recently winning the 2017 Township Entrepreneurship Award in the Transport, Automotive and Components category.
Owned and managed by Nyembe, Nyembe Waste Management is the result of acquiring the necessary training and knowledge to run this specialised business in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.
Pretoria-based Nyembe Waste Management specialises in crime scene cleaning and transportation of health care risk waste. The business has been operational since 2012 and provides a service to emergency services and health care facilities across Gauteng. It transports this waste from various generators to registered incinerators and is contracted to a number of waste generators, including hospitals, clinics, doctors, hospices, old age homes, pharmacies, educational institutions, funeral homes and laboratories.
Prior to starting her own company, Nyembe was the marketing manager of Crime Scene Clean-up for three years and worked in a variety of administrative positions. She describes some of the factors behind the success of her business as experience in the industry, hard work and patience.
“I entered these awards because I believe our competitiveness and business sustainability plan would make us stand out and also because I was looking for investment to market the business and improve our ability to deliver. The prize money won will enable me to buy stock and a delivery truck,” says Nyembe.
“While I worked for the company that was cleaning crime scenes, I identified a gap in the market and took it to our communities because most of health care risk waste is dumped in our communities and people lack the knowledge to handle this type of waste and how to clean crime scenes themselves.
“I want to thank the people who have sponsored me and believed in me since the beginning by working even harder than before, creating more jobs in our communities and growing the business. This includes the people behind the TEA recognition and those who have given me mentorship.
“I want to open a health care risk waste treatment facility and a health care risk waste and crime scene cleaning training centre, as well as finish an ISO 14000 [certification].
“My message or advice to potential entrepreneurs and the youth about becoming an entrepreneur is to make use of the opportunities they get, love what they do and apply hard work. The time has arrived and they must start now.”
Outside of her business, Nyembe’s other interests include travelling, reading and spending time with her family. She also plays netball.
“To become an entrepreneur, make use of the opportunities that are presented, love what you do and apply hard work. The time has arrived and you must start now,” says Nyembe.