Katlehong Resource Centre bounces back

The Katlehong Resource Centre (KRC) is preparing to host a fundraiser called ‘The Rebirth of KRC’ to raise funds to revamp the building to attract more community members.

The event will be held on April 6 at the centre’s premises at 824 Ramakonopi West, Katlehong, near Ramokonopi Clinic.

According to centre manager Moogo Sebuse, they have a list of everything they need to fix to make the centre conducive to the community.

She said should the event go well, they will fix the plumbing because they have to wipe the water on the floor daily as the toilets leak, resulting in high water bills.

“We want to install lights and cameras around the centre to avoid the darkness at night. We want to paint and renovate the centre, upgrade our security and fix our old, rusty security burglar doors,” said Sebuse.

She took on the KRC management position two years ago with the mission to give it a fresh and appealing look with help from the board members.

The board members are chairperson Dumisani Madlohphe, deputy chairperson Dumisani Mathebela, secretary Abigail Dlamini and additional members, legal matters Nonkululeko Nqhaba, financial committee Dipuo Lekhethe, fundraising committee Morris Monyakeni, Ward 59 Clr Thandi Maseko and Kenneth Maseko.

Sebuse told Kathorus MAIL that on taking over, she found the centre in a dire condition with long grass, sewage spills everywhere, no electricity and tenants who no longer paid their rent.

She said when they spoke to the tenants during a meeting to find out why they were not paying, they replied that they could not see what their money was used for because the centre was unmaintained, dirty, and had no electricity.

The centre was quiet because there were no activities, and some tenants stopped operating entirely, she added, but after the meeting, they could see changes and were willing to pay their rent.

“Ever since I took over, the toilets and the yard are kept clean, and people are beginning to recognise the centre. We want the community to visit and use it to access the vast services offered by local NGOs and entrepreneurs,” she said.

The call to the public to visit KRC follows after the centre’s then non-functional electricity and sewage systems that affected its operation were repaired early this year.

KRC’s power outage and damaged plumbing did not only destroy tenants, businesses people, and NGOs operating at the centre, it also affected learners who attended computer lessons offered by Siyafunda Community Technology Centre at KRC.

Sebuse said many people thought the centre was closed, but it is clean and fully functional.

“We want to alert the community that the centre is open and operational. There are opportunities and many services community members can access at the centre,” said Sebuse.

Rendered services

• The youth office comprises volunteers who focus on abled youth and people living with disabilities, developing leaders and assisting the youth in drafting CVs.

• Basic computer skills programme administrated by Siyafunda.

• Student Connect offers afternoon classes for Grades One to Four learners.

• Social worker services by the Khanya Family Centre.

• Extra mathematics and science lessons by the Junior Academy.

• Work for Living provides skills and job opportunities and helps unemployed youth improve their interview skills and job readiness.

• iLearn offers learnerships for people living with disabilities.

• A call centre training programme with Vuma Fibre.

• Teenage social change and behavioural programme by Turning the Tides.

• Madibeng Edu-Centre provides first aid training.

• The Leratong Advice Centre.

• There is also a church and local businesses like Mohau Funeral Service and Nails by Rose, among others.

For more information, contact Sebuse on 065 516 8218, 011 860 0337 or mookgos@gmail.com