Lathitha Biodiesel
What does your company do?
Lathitha Biodiesel produces clean fuel made from waste cooking oil
What is your biggest success?
Our biggest success at Lathitha Biodiesel has been transforming waste cooking oil into clean energy that combats pollution and creates green jobs for township youth. What began as an idea during the COVID-19 lockdown has grown into an award-winning social enterprise that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and promotes sustainability. We’ve trained communities like Tembisa in biodiesel production through partnerships with the University of Surrey and Telio Green. Being recognized with the BRICS Women’s Startups Contest (Ecology category) and the Kolba Prize affirmed our innovative impact and global relevance. These milestones reflect more than just accolades, they represent real change: cleaner environments, empowered youth, and increased awareness of the circular economy. From protecting rivers to sparking green entrepreneurship, we are proud to lead a movement that turns waste into opportunity and climate action.
What has been your biggest hurdle?
Our biggest hurdle at Lathitha Biodiesel has been navigating the early stages of building a green energy company without prior industry experience or access to traditional funding. As a female founder from a township, breaking into the male-dominated energy and waste management sectors came with countless rejections and skepticism. We also faced challenges in changing mindsets educating communities and stakeholders on the value of recycling waste cooking oil into biodiesel required patience, persistence, and continuous awareness campaigns. Infrastructure limitations and the high cost of scaling production with sustainable technology added further strain. These obstacles pushed us to innovate, build strong grassroots partnerships, and seek alternative support through incubators and competitions. Overcoming these challenges has strengthened our mission and proven that with purpose, resilience, and community-driven solutions, it is possible to thrive even in the face of systemic barriers.
