Gugulethu Sports Council commits to support Vukuhambe Disabled Centre this Mandela Day
The sports council chairperson Nceba Sandlana inspecting the Vuk'uhambe centre in Gugulethu. He has promised to bring in potential sponsors and donors on Mandela Day.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Some members of the Vuk'uhambe centre outside their building. Some parts of the centre have been vandalised by criminals. But there is hope along the way after the Gugulethu Sports Council has visited the place.
Image: Phiri Cawe
The Gugulethu Sports Council has pledged to assist the Vukuhambe Disabled Centre this Mandela Day, marked on July 18, through cleaning efforts and sponsorship.
Following a visit to the centre, the council said it had witnessed the organisation’s vulnerable state. The centre supports disabled people between the ages of 18 and 45. Its premises are unfenced, the walls are in poor condition, and the furnishings are outdated.
“This is a place for people who are our own,” said Nceba Sandlana, chairperson of the Gugulethu Sports Council. “Our organisation is not only for sports. We have to look for our people. Vukuhambe is part of us. We have seen how they work and live there. That is not conducive for any people to live like that. We have to do something this Mandela Day. Our assistance is not going to end only. It will be a continuation,” he said.
The council focuses on improving the lives of women and vulnerable children through physical and psychosocial support, with programmes that include education, food security, income generation, health services, and human rights advocacy. It also provides support to people living with HIV/AIDS, including a home care service.
“We are not limited to sports activities only but to a range of things that we do for this community,” Mr Sandlana said. “Our people are in dire poverty and unemployment. This is where we get in, find opportunities for them, and help where we can.”
He said the council had invited national and provincial government officials and departments to take part in the Mandela Day initiative.
“People have positively responded to our pleas. That makes us smile and have hope in our people. Right now we are finishing up a few things. We have meetings and I can safely say, we are ready to go and help. We are fully involved in empowering both disabled and vulnerable people in our areas,” he said.
Vukuhambe manager Thozi Ciki welcomed the support.
“As you can see, the window panes are broken, the fence is down, and a lot of dirt is thrown here. We blame amaphara for all this. All we need is for this place to be protected. There is a lot that we need,” he said.
Mr Ciki called on the community to take responsibility for the centre and stop children from vandalising it.
“Respect goes a long way. We deserve it like anybody else. We are part of this community and we are not going anywhere. People that are here are trying to make a living by doing beads, sewing, and many other small things. We appeal to the community to respect the place because it helps to put a plate on the table for us,” he said.
The Gugulethu Sports Council has begun fundraising for the centre and plans to host a car wash and other events to raise funds for essential needs.