In the heart of Johannesburg, visionary entrepreneur Phumzile Khoza is redefining sustainability through her trailblazing venture, Lathitha Biodiesel. Founded in 2021, the startup transforms waste cooking oil into clean, renewable fuel — turning everyday waste into a powerful driver of green innovation and job creation. With a mission rooted in climate action, circular economy, and youth empowerment, Phumzile is leading South Africa’s transition toward a cleaner, more inclusive energy future — proving that persistence and purpose can spark real environmental change.
Early Sparks of Entrepreneurship
From an early age, Phumzile Khoza, a proud founder, CEO, and passionate entrepreneur, displayed an entrepreneurial spirit that would later define her career. “I started my entrepreneurial journey at the age of 13,” she recalls, “where I was making and selling wrapped-around skirts with my mom’s leftover fabric, selling them to my friends for R10.”
That early experience ignited her passion for business and innovation. Years later, she would run a successful self-taught beauty business—until the COVID-19 lockdown brought it to an unexpected halt. But true to her determined nature, Phumzile turned adversity into opportunity. In 2020, she founded Lathitha Biodiesel, driven by her passion for sustainability, climate action, and youth empowerment in South Africa’s townships. Over the years, she has gained experience in business development, community engagement, and green energy innovation, including leading pilots in partnership with the University of Surrey, Innovate UK, and Sasol Women in Engineering.
“I am Resilient, I have consistently turned challenges into opportunities—from starting businesses as a teenager to launching a green energy venture during a global pandemic—and I persistently strive to create meaningful social and environmental impact,” says Phumzile.
Building a Green Future from the Ground Up
Phumzile’s entrepreneurial education came from experience rather than classrooms. “When I started Lathitha Biodiesel, my formal education had ended at Grade 12,” she explains. “But my entrepreneurial journey and practical experiences had already equipped me to lead and grow the company. Running businesses as a teenager taught me steadfastness, problem-solving, and business management early on.”
Over time, she strengthened her expertise through partnerships and training programs. She gained specialized knowledge in green energy and biorefinery, including training with the University of Surrey, capacity-building programs with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and business leadership skills from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).
These experiences have provided her with technical expertise in biodiesel production, sustainable practices, and strategic management. Combined with hands-on experience in community engagement, operations, and partnerships, they prepared her to effectively scale a sustainable venture, drive innovation, and generate lasting community impact.
Rooted in Family and Purpose
Behind Phumzile’s determination lies a strong foundation of family values and personal inspiration. “The most influential impact on my life has come from a combination of my upbringing, my family, and personal experiences. Growing up, my mother has always been a pillar of support, instilling resilience and determination in me,” she shares. Professionally, the challenges she faced as a young entrepreneur who never had traditional employment taught her the value of creativity, perseverance, and turning ideas into tangible solutions.
“The birth of my daughter, Lathitha (17), and my son, Oarabile (8), along with my partner’s unwavering support, have profoundly influenced me, motivating me to create a venture that has both environmental and social impact,” she says warmly. “These experiences inspired me to found Lathitha Biodiesel, combining my passion for sustainability with a commitment to empowering youth, creating sustainable livelihoods, and addressing pollution in our communities, as well as tapping into foreign spaces that seem too big until one sets their intention into achieving anything,” she added.
A Pivotal Moment: The Birth of Lathitha Biodiesel
The founding story of Lathitha Biodiesel is as grounded as it is inspiring.
The idea for Lathitha Biodiesel was born during the quiet, reflective days of the COVID-19 lockdown. When Phumzile realized the damage caused by improper disposal of waste cooking oil — polluting rivers and threatening marine life — she saw an opportunity. That simple observation inspired her to turn waste into clean, renewable biodiesel.
“This personal observation, combined with my passion for climate action and sustainability, inspired me to found Lathitha Biodiesel. I realized I could transform waste into a renewable, eco-friendly fuel, creating both environmental benefits and economic opportunities for communities. The experience showed me that innovative solutions could address urgent environmental challenges while empowering youth and women in townships, and that became the core mission of my venture,” says Phumzile.
“My founding mission was to reduce pollution, create renewable energy, and provide economic opportunities for communities, particularly youth and women in townships. Over time, this mission has evolved to focus not only on biodiesel production but also on building scalable community-led solutions, creating eco-employment opportunities, and promoting circular economy practices across Africa, while continuing to advance environmental stewardship and sustainability,” she added.
That’s how Lathitha Biodiesel was born — a venture designed to create green jobs, empower township youth, and address pollution while proving that global spaces are within reach when one sets clear intentions. This realization became the foundation of her mission: to develop innovative green solutions that tackle climate change while enabling young changemakers across South African communities.
Overcoming Challenges with Grit and Vision
Starting Lathitha Biodiesel in a developing economy wasn’t without hurdles. “In the early stages, one of the biggest challenges was limited resources and access to funding, which made scaling production and securing equipment challenging.” Phumzile shares. Raising awareness about the value of recycling waste cooking oil and convincing communities and businesses to participate required significant effort.
But Phumzile approached each challenge strategically. “I overcame these challenges by leveraging partnerships, pilot programs, and mentorship opportunities. Collaborating with institutions like the University of Surrey, Innovate UK, and Sasol Women in Engineering provided technical guidance and credibility. I also focused on hands-on community engagement and education, showing the tangible benefits of biodiesel and circular economy practices. These strategies allowed me to build trust, grow operations, and establish a sustainable model despite limited initial resources,” she explains.
Innovating for a Cleaner Tomorrow
Today, Lathitha Biodiesel produces high-quality biodiesel derived from waste cooking oil — a renewable diesel that meets and exceeds industry standards for purity, efficiency, and emissions reduction.
“Our products are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and scalable,” Phumzile notes. “They offer businesses, transport operators, and municipalities a clean energy alternative that reduces carbon emissions and pollution.”
Beyond production, Lathitha Biodiesel also runs community training and green skills programs, enabling youth and women to participate in sustainable energy initiatives and creating a circular economy model.
Looking ahead, Phumzile plans to integrate solar energy solutions to complement biodiesel production and expand collection networks in new townships to increase supply, reach, and social impact, further strengthening our position as a leader in renewable energy innovation.
Leading with Purpose and Advocacy
“As a dynamic and influential woman entrepreneur, my key responsibilities include leading the strategic vision and growth of Lathitha Biodiesel, ensuring we deliver impactful environmental and social solutions. I oversee operations, production, and community engagement, while building partnerships with institutions, businesses, and stakeholders to scale our impact,” says Phumzile.
“I am also responsible for mentoring and supporting women-led innovation, fostering skills development in sustainable energy and circular economy practices. I act as a public advocate for green innovation and female entrepreneurship, representing our mission at conferences, panels, and international programs to inspire others and drive meaningful change,” she added.
Recognized for Bold Leadership
Phumzile’s journey has been marked by remarkable achievements. She was the winner of the BRICS Women’s Startups Contest (Ecology Category) in Moscow, Russia (2024), and a 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award finalist, honoring her leadership in sustainability and innovation.
She is also an alumna of transformative programs including Sasol Women in Engineering Incubator, Innovate UK Tembisa Pilot, Orange Corners, ABSA ESD Programme, and CSIR Capacity Building Training.
Lathitha Biodiesel has successfully piloted community projects converting waste cooking oil into clean biodiesel while empowering township residents with valuable green skills. As she celebrates her second graduation at GIBS, Phumzile reflects: “These achievements remind me not to conform to limitations, but to believe and push doors — because not all closed doors are locked.”
Balancing Motherhood and Leadership
Behind her professional success is a mother who values balance and intentionality. “Maintaining work-life balance in a demanding role is a constant effort, especially as a mom of two children. I start my day by dropping them off at school and managing morning routines, and I make sure to pause and attend important family events, such as parents’ evenings or school activities, even in the middle of a busy workday,” Phumzile admits.
“I stay grounded by planning my day carefully, prioritizing tasks, and setting boundaries between work and family time. These strategies help me remain focused, present, and effective in both my role as a founder and as a parent. Balancing family and entrepreneurship requires adaptability, patience, and intentional time management,” she added.
Shaping the Future of Green Energy in Africa
Looking ahead, Phumzile envisions Lathitha Biodiesel expanding its reach across more townships and urban areas. “Over the next two years, we aim to scale biodiesel production, strengthen waste cooking oil collection networks, and empower more youth and women with green skills while creating sustainable local employment,” she shares.
“As the founder, I will continue to lead strategic growth, forge key partnerships, and oversee operations, ensuring that our expansion is both environmentally sustainable and socially impactful. My role will also involve mentoring team members, innovating processes, and championing renewable energy initiatives, driving Lathitha Biodiesel’s transformation into a leading green energy company in Africa,” Phumzile assures.
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