Today marked a new beginning for the youth in Gqeberha Township near Walmer as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality started the construction of two facilities that will enhance youth development. A sod turning ceremony was held to mark the beginning of works in the new Youth Centre and the upgrading of the Advice Centre.
The Youth Centre will be built over the next 14 months to the tune of R16 million while the upgrading of the Advice Centre will cost R12 million within a 10-month construction period. The contractors for both projects are already occupying the sites.
The Gqebera Township is one of the areas experiencing high levels of crime, drug/substance abuse and unemployment.The lack of skills among the youth has been identified as one of the causes of these social ills with the lack of recreational facilities being the root causes, among others.
The two projects form part of the R52 million Fountain Road upgrade funded by the National Treasury through its Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant. The project has been identified by the Municipality as a “focused urban renewal” project, aimed at rejuvenating socio-economic activities in various townships in the city. Other projects forming part of the Fountain Road development include paving, township greening and a community park which has already been launched by the Municipality last year.
The leader of the Gqebera Youth Development Forum, Mthuthuzeli Hombile, said the youth was excited about the development.
“The youth of Gqebera have been drowning themselves in shebeens, involved in crime and drugs because of unemployment and lack of facilities. This development will go a long way toward improving the skills development of youth in the area and also unearthing a wealth of talent we have hidden here in this township,” he said.
The two youth centres will offer an indoor sporting facility, a library, advice and skills development area, municipal customer care facilities and youth-focused government offices.
The Fountains Road upgrade also includes the construction of a community park south of the Advice Centre, sidewalks and pedestrian crossings to improve the safety of pedestrians, the upgrading of the existing Advice Centre and the construction of a brand new multi purpose Youth Centre between Heugh Road and the railway crossing.
Ward 4 Councillor, Nomajama Benya, said the start of the construction is an indication of the Municipality’s commitment to service delivery.
“With these centres, we want to take our youth away from bad influences such as alcohol and drugs. We need the youth to keep busy with positive activities and to stay away from self destructive habits,” said Cllr Benya.
The development will pave the way for further development of high density housing and retail areas in the area.
Alan Straton
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