Marianna Gouws
“We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere.” Tim McGraw
Guguletu’s more than 350 000 residents are desperately trying to shake off 41 years of neglect. They realise that the community’s future lies in its children and, to that end, big business and academia have joined them in trying to ensure a better tomorrow.
The JL Zwane Memorial Church plays a vital role in the lives of its more than 1800 parishioners. The church’s training and development centre, established in 1994, has provided a haven for about 100 primary schoolchildren a day, offering them education and training.
A new JL Zwane Guguletu Community Centre is under construction. The first phase, which includes teaching facilities and administration offices, is complete and accommodates eight teachers and about 100 children. The centre will eventually be able to accommodate up to 300 children, providing them with two hours of tutorial homework daily.
The complex is funded by Sanlam Investment Management (SIM), which has provided R1-million for construction and has pledged another R2-million for this year.
Reverend Dr Spiwo Xapile of the JL Zwane church says R1,4-million is needed to complete the centre.
“We at SIM see the need to become involved, not only in commercial and entrepreneurial concerns, but in the moulding of minds while assisting a community to live with pride and dignity,” said Eric Ratshikhopha, general manager of corporate affairs at SIM.
But apartheid scars are deep. Overcrowded classrooms, understaffing, a lack of funds and outdated equipment have affected even the most tireless of enthusiasts who run the centre.
Teacher and trainer volunteers from nearby churches, students from the universities of Stellenbosch, Cape Town and the Western Cape, and the Department of Labour assist.
“The ratio of children to teacher is vital. We know that to help thoroughly with homework no more than about six children should be assigned to each teacher. We pay our qualified teachers R65 a session. Some high school pupils who have passed through the centre assist gratis,” says Xapile.
Funding for teacher payments is provided by a British group based near London and is the brainchild of former exiles Colin and Margaret Legum, both congregants of the JL Zwane church.
A management committee from Cape Town, members of the church and local councillors will run the centre and monitor activities. Community programmes to be introduced include:
Employment counselling and job development services for the unemployed;
Communications courses and life-skills training;
Cross-cultural communications workshops to help build reconciliation in the community; and
Study space and support groups for scholars.