RUSTENBURG HERALD - MARIKANA - In a bid to support and uplift the community, Sibanye-Stillwater, along with coalition partners, recently launched two community projects as part of the Marikana Renewal project.
The Marikana Youth Centre and the Bojanala Wellness and Safety Centre were officially opened with the help of strategic partnerships and various stakeholders including, but not limited to, Umsizi, Scania, AECU Mining, Institute for Rural and Community Development (IRDC), Afrika Tikkun, and the Marikana Pastoral Coalition.
The event was graced by the presence of representatives of all these organisations, as well as the local community, members of the media and the South African Police Service, who were all welcomed with open arms. The project aims to alleviate crime, poverty, inequality and unemployment in the area by addressing the day-to-day challenges faced by youth and families.
The Marikana Youth Centre will offer after school programmes that will address and assist youngsters with coping mechanisms to face challenges such as low pass rates and school dropouts, while matrics and post-matrics will be offered support once they embark on their post school journey. The centre allows for up to 250 children to be hosted at a time, with the aim to grow in future. One class per grade will be accommodated in the afternoons and children will receive a nutritious lunch, be assisted with homework (with a library on the premises) and also have time to play. Arts and creative outlets will be explored on Friday afternoons, with a wall mural to be painted by the young ones.
The Bojanala Wellness and Safety Centre (BWSC) will serve as an information hub for community safety, providing training on first aid and firefighting. Additionally, the centre will deploy Community Safety coordinators to address issues relating to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). Richard Stewart, Chief Regional Officer of Sibanye-Stillwater joined the event virtually and commented that the aim is to “create a safe and secure environment for host communities.” The Boshoek Taxi Association also volunteered to assist victims of GBV with emergency transport when required and Brigadier Ntoagae from SAPS promised help at police stations, with specially trained officers who will assist victims with immediate trauma support and counselling.
Pastors in local communities have also been undergoing training to be better equipped to support family violence occurrences. The day was, very fittingly so, concluded by all stakeholders signing a coalition agreement, pledging their ongoing support and commitment for the Marikana Renewal Project.
