LIMPOPO – The Lesedi Centre, situated off the N11 about 10 km north-west of Mokopane, aims to provide physical, educational, financial, nutritional and emotional support to orphans and vulnerable children. Lesedi Centre caters to the nearby villages of Kgobudi, Sekgoboko and Malepetleke.
Futhermore, the centre also offers community information sessions to bring awereness to adults on current issues that affect their families.
“It’s a place of safety the children can go to after school, a safe and friendly environment where they participate in life skill lessons, do homework, play sports and receive a meal before they return to their own homes.” reads a statement by issued by Gaye de Villiers on behalf of Turner & Townsend.
More than a 100 orphans and vulnerable children are cared for by Lesedi, as well as more than 60 patients with chronic illnesses. The building of the Centre was donated by the local community and opened its doors in November 2010.
Ivanplats’ Werner Botha, senior project manager, social and legal compliance and project leader says that the refurbishment took place in response to the company’s strategic social responsibility commitments to the communities around the platinum mine. Manny Dos Ramos, senior manager and project manager is proud of the success of the Lesedi Centre and can’t wait to see how the children’s future comes to life.
Raphael Baiden, associate director of Turner & Townsend explains the process: “Because of our involvement in the main mining contract, we were approached by Ivanplats to assist with providing quantity surveying services on the refurbishment project. As part of our CSR commitment to add value and make a real difference to local communities we were delighted to undertake this work. We have previously assisted with a similar refurbishment project at the Tharullo Drop-in centre in Mokopane, also through Ivanplats, where a funding proposal was compiled for the Japanese Government, and which kicked off in March 2016.”
The Lesedi renovation project was speedily completed, taking only three months and about 4 350 man hours to re-energize and rejuvenate the centre. 4 257 bricks, 60 bags of cement, 5 m³ of building sand, 87 m³ of concrete was happily used to the benefit of the centre.
The local community now has access to a flourishing vegetable garden, a mini-soccer field with astro turf, a netball court, and play area with a jungle gym.
Toilets and a water harvesting tank is installed alongside drilling and equipping of a borehole for water, and a fenced off recycling area. A new fence has also been erected as well as a shaded canopy near the sports fields. Lesedi brings teambuilding, social interaction, creativity and love to the community.
redakteur.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
