​The Gauteng Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment MEC Mbali Hlophe emphasized that the Gauteng Provincial Government continues to invest more into children and young people, and by doing so it would be truly investing in the future.
She said we all need to work together to take care of the young ones if we are to invest into the future and the type of the future that we want to see.

Hlophe was speaking during the official opening of Kotulong Community Centre (KCC) in Meyerton, Sedibeng Region, last Friday, where a multi-national mining and metals company South32 Metalloys, built a sustainable facility for children…

Hlophe further said, “We all have a story to tell, just like you who reside in this facility, we know our dark past, but that dark past has shown us the resilience of our nation, and that resilience is the one that must be carried through and must be taught from generation to generation what it means to be a victor, to be able to come out of a dark environment, and able to grow and blossom into something great”.

“I was quite happy when I was taken through this environmentally friendly facility as it ticks the box for the other department that I am given a responsibility to lead, which is the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment”, she added.

“We have a problem with electricity in this country, but I am pleased that this facility has solar panels which make it to be 80% off the grid, that will make it to be o self-sustainable even during the absence of electricity”.

Hlophe also highlighted the importance of the facility to explore farming where young children can be taught farming at an early age.

“I am willing to assist with that, because even the food that the kids eat must be able to come from the work of their own hands so that we teach them that they can able to create, in that way we would also be introducing them to agriculture and the statistics show that in our province the age of farmers is senior which means we going to lose the farmers, so we need to begin to actively introduce young kids to agriculture”.

“To our children, you have a beautiful facility and I urge each one of you to make the most of it, educate yourself and make sure that when you leave this place you can be your greater self and not only for yourself, but for your communities, your families and the country at large”, she said.

Hlophe applauded the South32 Metalloys company for making a difference in the communities saying the R44 million state-of-the-art facility will go a long way in changing the lives of vulnerable children.  She said the non-government organization that takes care of vulnerable children is set to benefit the community of Meyerton and the surrounding areas.

The Centre is comprised of seven 3-bedroomed fully furnished houses, a kitchen, laundry, admin building, library and play area. It can accommodate sixty (60) children. The 80% solar powered facility also managed to create 50 temporary jobs for locals and empowered 4 local SMMEs. It is also equipped with green energy, including floor and double-glazed windows, as well as a calamite sewage system designed to kill bacteria. It also includes a borehole capable of providing 7 200 litres of water hourly.

The centre will offer a place of safety for vulnerable children, a place of safety for victims of gender-based violence, skills development and sustainable livelihood programmes for the youth and women, and a recreational facility for the local community.