Scores of people, including councillors and political leaders from all over Johannesburg, converged at the Altrec Sports Complex in Alexandra to witness the launch of the Connie Bapela Legacy Project.
The project that is named after the late former City of Johannesburg council speaker Connie Bapela has been established to lend a helping hand to improve the lives of poor and ordinary people all over Johannesburg.
Speaking at the launch of the legacy project, the Deputy Minister of Co-operative Government and Traditional Affairs, Obed Bapela said the passing of his wife Connie does not mean the end of her work to uplift the community of Alexandra.
Obed said the legacy project will work as mentorship programme to assist primary and high school learners to do relevant subjects that will align them to their preferred choice of careers. It will also support local early childhood centres by donating more developmental and educational material.
“Some of Connie’s passions were community development, education, art and culture. Music, art and theatre were some of the things that she loved the most. We will be failing her wishes to see Alex art industry growing if we let art in the township die. The legacy project that we launch today will work closely with local creatives, young and old to support them in realising their dreams and take their work to the higher level,” said Obed.
The ANC’s Johannesburg region chairperson, Geoff Makhubo who worked with Connie as a councillor in the City of Johannesburg, described her as a gentle giant and a selfless leader that served people until the last days of her life.
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