A Somerset West-based environmental enterprise has received national recognition for turning everyday food waste into a powerful force for good.
Natashia de Wet, the founder of Circular Homes in the Helderberg, was named one of the top three winners in magazine Voelgoed’s Inspirasievrou 2025 awards held in Pretoria, celebrating women who create inspirational and positive change in South Africa.
She and business partner Dora Wolhuter help households and businesses divert food waste away from landfills using bokashi fermentation, a natural process that transforms food scraps into nutrient-rich compost.
By closing the loop on food waste, the company regenerates soil, reduces harmful methane emissions and inspires communities to live more sustainably.
“Being recognised as one of SA’s most inspiring women is an incredible honour,” De Wet declared.
“But the real award belongs to our community – every household, business and volunteer who decided to rethink waste and become part of something bigger.”
Through the combined efforts of Circular Homes, hospitality partners, corporate kitchens and households across the Helderberg and Cape Town regions, more than 200 tons of food waste have been diverted from landfills, reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.
This total includes Circular Homes’ seven-year partnership with the Somerset West Village Garden, where Hennie Paulse and his team have successfully processed more than 70 tons of household-food waste into bokashi compost for community food production.
Residents can drop-off their fermented food-waste bins at the village garden and receive compost in return. The garden celebrated its 10th anniversary in October (“Community garden for all”, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 12 November).
More than 15 local businesses, farms and NPOs now collaborate with Circular Homes to recycle every scrap of their food waste, turning what was once discarded into fertile soil that supports food security and pollinator-friendly gardens.
“This recognition comes at a very special time for our team,” added De Wet. “It proved small, consistent actions can lead to extraordinary environmental change. Together we’re growing a movement of people who see waste not as a problem, but a solution for restoring our soil and protecting our future.”
Looking ahead, De Wet is optimistic about the growing interest in bokashi composting and regenerative recycling.
“This simple technology shows that what we once threw away can become a building block for healthy soil, resilient communities and a cleaner planet. It’s a change every South African can be part of.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.