Tsakane Therapy Centre officially open

The occasion was attended by numerous stakeholders and the community at the former police station building last Friday.

Centre manager Mandla Gxowa says the centre caters for children living with disabilities.

Currently they have 23 children who attend the centre daily. They are given physical stimulation and a literacy programme which teaches them how to cope with daily life.

Some of the children are referred to the centre, others are taken there by their parents while others are are found by the staff during community outreach programmes.

“The centre started operating on February 1 at the Sotho Section before we moved to where we are now.

“When we got here, though, there was not much, as the structure was dilapidated, so we had to pull together as a team to fix things.

“We also had to ask for assistance from the Department of Public Works, which paid for lights and promised to assist with our water bill,” he says.

Gxowa thanks everyone who has helped them to get to where they are today.

During the celebrations the children, staff and board members from different professions were introduced to community members.

Chairman of the board, Thami Mkhondwane shared how he got to know about the centre.

“I am always curious about what’s happening around me and for a long time, this place was just abandoned and troubled us as locals of Extension One.

“Then when I started seeing people here, I came to ask and got information.

“It would seem that after having retired from the teaching profession, God made it so I could be at the centre at this time to empower these children,” he says.

In his address Mkhondwane added that it is sad to see some parents of children with disabilities trying to make money from the situation. It is also sad to see some of these children being dumped at their grandparents because their parents don’t want to take care of them.

“Through this, we hope the community will get to know about our centre as we still have children who are locked up at home because of their disabilities.

“We want the community to know we have people here who can help teach these children.

“We challenge our local business people in the area to come and assist, so this can be a better and more conducive environment for our children,” he says.

For more information contact Gxowa on 074 511 8925.