Youth to benefit from new community centre

Plans to revive the old Brakpan Mall from a crime-riddled slum into a safe community haven got off to a positive start last week.

Work to transform the former post office building at the mall into a community centre officially began on Mandela Day, which was observed last Thursday.

Other areas of the mall are also set to benefit. The restoration is the brainchild of Brakpan SAPS Sector One manager Constable Audrey Buthelezi.

Buthelezi, who is also the station’s communications officer, explained Mandela Day was the perfect day to break ground at the site.

“We are building on the legacy of Nelson Mandela and hope this will be a lasting legacy for our town,” she said.

“This will be uplifting for our community and will help eradicate crime.

“We don’t have any facilities like this in Brakpan and we’re hoping to bring the youth together.

“The most important aspect is job creation through providing skills.”

Touching on a legacy a little closer to home, Buthelezi cited former Brakpan SAPS station commander Brigadier Fredl Jonck, who recently retired, as an inspiration for the community centre.

“He was the one who started community involvement like this and his legacy will live on,” she said.

Her sentiments were echoed by Riaan van Zyl, Freedom Front Plus PR councillor, who was among the volunteers on the day.

“Brigadier Jonck was an inspiration. We will carry on his good work and make this happen,” he said.

“The mall will be revived and taken back from the criminals and all the negativity.”

With a focus on the youth, the centre’s main objective will be skills development training.

“It will be a place where people can learn computer skills, sewing and other handwork like beading. There will also be security officer training. The end goal is to help people get jobs,” she said.

Buthelezi added a CPF desk and mobile SAPS operations will be located at the centre, bringing policing services closer to the community.

Additional plans include a victim empowerment centre, and an adult education centre is also a future possibility.
Sports facilities for netball, tennis and football are also envisioned.

Buthelezi approached local businesses to assist with bringing the project to fruition and was not disappointed by the response.

“There is something special about this town. The community always comes together, and when you ask, you receive,” she said.

Business stakeholders include Hoffmans General Dealers, Build It Plus Mercury and Secure Tech Security.

Buthelezi stated she approached Arie Hoffman from Hoffmans General Dealers, the buildings’ owners, and he immediately agreed to assist.

“We have permission to use a lot of the space, from the post office up to the clock and up to Cavendish Street,” she said.

Once the pride of the Brakpan CBD, the mall, with its landmark clock, was a place where families could shop, grab something to eat at one of the restaurants or enjoy a performance at the amphitheatre.

A decline in economic sustainability in the CBD, however, resulted in businesses moving or closing, and the mall fell into a state of disrepair.

The mall has for many years now been the domain of drug users and dealers, and a hangout for other nefarious characters.

“People are not going to be afraid to come here anymore,” said Buthelezi.

She told the Brakpan Herald a portion of the parking lot will be enclosed with palisade fencing. This will be erected by Hoffmans General Dealers, and Secure Tech will install security cameras.

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Not only will the security firm monitor the cameras, but they will also supply panic buttons and provide armed response.

The company will also facilitate the security guard training at the centre. Charl Bronkhorst from Secure Tech said they wanted to get involved in order to give back to the community.

“We are also here today to keep everyone safe while they are working,” he said.

Members of the SAPS, CPF, Clean Brakpan and the Greater Brakpan School Learner Transport Association rolled up their sleeves to beautify the area and spread some Mandela Day magic.

Armed with brooms, rakes, spades, refuse bags, buckets and cleaning products, volunteers tackled the building, pavements, flower beds and surrounding areas, clearing away dirt, rubbish, weeds and other overgrown foliage.

“Mandela Day is special for us as South Africans and we wanted to do something for the community,” said the transport association’s chairperson, Thabo Ndlovu.

“These acts unite us as South Africans.”

Also present to assist with the clean-up were staff and representatives from Build It Plus Mercury.

The Dalpark hardware store will be conducting the renovations at the community centre.

“We are happy to help with whatever is needed,” said owner Grant Uys.

Renovation work will commence once all the finer details have been completed.

“We’ve had an architect visit the site, and today we are just here to help clean,” he said.

“We are big on CSI projects so we give back where we can. All our projects are community-based and focused.

“I am passionate about helping children so anything that will help keep them off the streets has my support.”

Buthelezi hopes the involvement of these businesses will serve as an inspiration for others to get on board.