Siyakhanyisa Community Centre aims to fight against gender-based violence, to feed and house the destitute, as well as uplift and train the destitute people as well as the broken members of the community. The organisation based in Phola was officially launched on Saturday, August 21.
They promise that they will continue to feed, care and motivate people and have been able to reach out to a lot of people, but they will continue with their work which they do with love. They set themselves programmes and some of them are already running.
Their long-term project is to have a shelter for abused women and children, and they are working with different stakeholders, like the police, traditional leaders, social department, churches, local municipality, business sector and others. Director of the organisation Pastor Jafter Shabangu in his address said they have a vision to make an impact in the different communities.
“Our stand is clear, and we say no to women and children abuse, we have programmes for men at our church and some of them have changed their behaviour after attending the programme. We also help people who are on drugs and raising funds to refer them to rehabs. We have a feeding programme within our community, and we are planning to expand to other areas as well. We are also planning to teach women at our shelter skills to empower them. We have already sent proposals to different companies for funding for our shelter, and we have the blessing of the traditional leaders.”
Pastor Shabangu said they won’t rest until their dreams are achieved because they are concerned about gender-based violence, drug abuse, poverty, HIV/Aids, lack of knowledge, teenage pregnancy, and they hope that the centre will be operational 24 hours. They are also planning a talent show on Heritage Day (September 24). Sergeant Petros Ntuli said as Phola SAPS are fully supportive of the organisation as there is no centre of that kind in Phola.
Inkosi Sipho Mahlangu encourages the people to get vaccinated and indicated that the people of Phola need to stand together and support such initiatives. He said as community leaders, they need to come with solutions to help communities.
Pastor Shabangu thanked all the people who have donated to the organisation and the people who have supported and are still supporting them like Mr Oupa Rai of Divestic Company by providing catering for 150 people during the launch.
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