Gabriel Ndlovu began the Sir Gabriel Centre for Excellence to keep the school learners in Ext 4 of Cosmo City off the streets and generate an income for himself.
The after-school programme began in July 2018. The programme has been running from a local church for a rental fee, however, the church has requested the programme to be moved elsewhere by the end of this month.
The programme began when Ndlovu struggled to find employment. “I thought, why don’t I create something that will give me an income.”
In the first six months of the programme, the programme hosted 30 learners, approximately 60 learners last year. The programme grew through word of mouth as more children who were a part of it returned home with improved marks where their school work was concerned.
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Currently, the programme caters to just over 80 learners. Learners make their way to the church where it has taken root until the end of January of this year. After school, primary school learners make their way to the church and high school learners are assisted with their schoolwork on the weekends. The youth programme has grown significantly in a short space of time but this has not been without its challenges.
Ndlovu spoke about the ripple effects of how a low-income area has affected the growth of the programme. Some parents have found themselves two to three months behind on their payment for their children. The church where the programme has taken root has also requested for the Sir Gabriel Centre for Excellence to find another space to conduct the programme. This has been on the mind of Ndlovu, as well as the youth empowerment event he is yet to host on 25 January.
Primary school learners in grades 1to 3 are charged R260 and those in grades 4 to7 are charged R280 per month for the service. Ndlovu has hoped for some sort of subsidy in order to reduce the charge to parents. This will feed his other plans which further his mission to improve his centres in Cosmo City as well as Alexandra Township.
Details: Gabriel Ndlovu 061 211 7657
