Believe it or not, the launch of the Alex Chapter of NPO South Africa Day has been postponed once again, from 24 April to 8 May.
The latest postponement is said to have come as a request from the Sandton-based South Africa Day CEO Dr Bheki Shongwe, who is said to have indicated that 24 April was a bit tricky for a couple of senior members of the Sandton business community, especially those involved in the fundraising efforts of the Alexandra Investment Fund.
The fund is the fundraising arm of the We Love Alexandra Community Makeover Project, which is a resuscitation initiative for the rundown infrastructure in the township which would be coupled with the beautification of the streets and pavements.
Shongwe was said to have asked for the postponement of the launch to allow for the presence of the Sandton business community who were key to the carrying out of the massive project. The project also seeks to empower Alex SMMEs and possibly forge partnerships between them and their Sandton business counterparts.
Deputy President of the Alex Chapter of SA Day, Lawrence Ruele said they had acceded to the request and the launch would now take place on 8 May at Phuthaditjaba-Qoqizizwe Centre in 17th Avenue.
The launch of the beautification programme under the We Love Alex Community Makeover Project was initially scheduled for 10 April at the centre. The centre used to be the home of Alex Chapter president Linda Twala before it was allegedly blown up by suspected apartheid government security agents in 1986.
The project launch has been postponed three times – from 11 April to 17 April, then 24 April and now 8 May.
New invitations have already been extended to various guests, most of whom will be from the Sandton business community led by Shongwe. Guests will include University of the Free State chancellor and economist Professor Bonang Francis Mohale; Sandton businessmen Kevin Wakeford who is the chief executive officer of Bidvest Travel and Aviation Services; and Chris Hart, executive chairperson of Impact Investments Africa.
Hart has been quoted as hoping to use the makeover project to spark a flurry of business opportunities in Alex in an endeavour to grow the township’s economy. It will also seek to ensure that Alex was not only used as a Sandton business labour reservoir but also become an active generator of economic activity in its own right.
On the day, the arrival of the invited guests and the subsequent tea party for them at 12pm will be preceded by a public announcement for the community of Alexandra which will outline the objectives of the makeover project and its anticipated goals. After the tea party, the guests will be taken on a guided tour of key sites around the township that tie into the project.
“It is my belief that this will be the final chance to fix Alexandra together as a community, working hand in hand with the government and the Sandton business community. This is our last grenade. It’s now or never,” Twala told the Alex News team.
Details: Linda Twala 082 442 2866; fatherofalex@welovealex.org.za; president@welovealex.org.za
