Last Thursday, Transnet CPF community centre opposite Bakerton, on Welgedacht Road, held an open day at the centre.
The centre coordinates community development services by hosting government departments and other organisations involved in social development to provide necessary services to the community.
The aim of the open day was to promote various social services offered by the Containerised Assistant Programme (CAP) by Transnet and the Bakerton Community Police Sub-Forum (CPSF) for Gugulethu, Everest, Payneville and Bakerton residents.
The day was made possible by GoldOne, the Department of Safety and Security, local business Two Brothers and the Bakerton CPSF.
“Representatives of these stakeholders were also present at the open day,” said Ahmed Chougley, chairman of the Barkerton CPSF.
Peter Pelele of Transnet runs the community centre and initiated the programme. He works in partnership with various government departments to bring social services closer to the community.
The centre also runs an adult basic education initiative to improve residents’ literacy.
The child welfare programme at the centre aims to teach people the necessary life skills, and teach a community to do things for themselves.
“In time, when more people are aware of these programmes that the centre offers, this will limit the time they spend going to town or even Johannesburg to access these kinds of social services,” said Pelele.
He also scouted for local community volunteers, who act as community development workers that serve as service delivery coordinators that can assist the residents in supplying information about the services they need.
One of these services is communicating messages aimed at safeguarding Transnet assets in surrounding communities.
“These offices were not sustainable in the past, even though they were established. Now with Transnet on board in constant communication and partnership with these departments, there has been a good response from residents,” said Pelele.
For Pelele this centre is Transnet’s way of giving back to the community through social upliftment.
The open day was a success and continued throughout the day with music and dance, while volunteers and their visitors enjoyed a cup of soup made at the centre on the day.
The visitors also received information in the form of pamphlets and cards about the various services the centre offers to its residents.
Pelele and community development networker Lerato Motsepe also donated a new wheelchair to Manneheng Mosothwane, and elderly lady from one of the informal settlements in the area. Her house was also painted by Pelele and volunteers on Mandela Day.
“I want to see this community service building and the CAP running smoothly, giving people the necessary social services they require to make their lives self-sustainable,” said Pelele.
