Last week, the Heart and Soul Foundation started a clean-up project to renovate Paul Kruger Hall.
Founder of the Heart and Soul Foundation, Estelle Opperman, said this clean-up is part of a bigger end goal where they are planning to have a preschool for underprivileged children, a soup kitchen and a community centre.
“This building has been in disuse for the last 10 years. There was even a problem with squatters a couple of years ago. Luckily we had volunteers who came by to help clean the place,” she added.
She excitedly said that since the place is going to be clean, the next step is to repaint it which they are planning to do as soon as possible.
The foundation has also taken hands with Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) in a Public Private Partnership in regards to the hall.
MCLM communications officer Adrian Amod added their Social Development Services division was approached by the foundation requesting to be allowed to work alongside or in partnership with the division to rehabilitate the facility.
“This proposition, the municipality was quite open to considering the numerous challenges experienced with Paul Kruger Hall, which among other issues include crime, drugs, poverty and squatting. After some engagements and site visits which included other relevant municipal sections such as legal services, real estate, building maintenance, and West Rand District Environmental Health, the foundation submitted a detailed proposal on their intentions.
“The municipality’s legal services team is now being roped in to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding between the municipality and the foundation which will detail the roles and responsibilities of both parties. This which we envisage will set the tone for the required work to be done before full operation of the rehabilitation of the hall, the agreement will also be made public for community, stakeholder and interested parties’ awareness,” Adrian said.
He continued the municipality foresees several benefits arising from this partnership as Paul Kruger Hall will benefit the community by offering a place where recreational, educational and economic activities will take place.
“This rehabilitated facility should also play a key role in diverting crime away from the precinct where the hall, library, swimming pool and tennis courts are situated, the municipality will also benefit through some collection of revenue from hall bookings.
“Some of the envisaged programmes which are in line with Social Development strategic objectives and will address the current social ills in the community of Krugersdorp West, include early childhood development, aftercare programmes, psychological support, skills development and drug rehabilitation facilitation,” Adrian concluded.
