The City of Cape Town’s Urban Regeneration Department, in partnership with various stakeholders, is busy refurbishing the Khayelitsha Training Centre. If all goes as planned, the centre will have nearly 80% of its roof replaced at the start of the annual builders’ holiday
Constructed in 1998, the Khayelitsha Training Centre is nearly 24 years old.
Located in the heart of Khayelitsha, on the corner of Spine Road and Lwandle Road adjacent to the local subcouncil offices, the centre is a beehive of activity with approximately 25 000 people visiting the centre every year to do business with local enterprises from Khayelitsha – these are businesses in small scale manufacturing, mechanical repairs, catering, and so forth. It is also a haven for industrial hives with offices for civic entities, and provides skills training and support to the community of Khayelitsha.
‘The City, in partnership with the Khayelitsha Training Centre Association representing the tenants, the Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF), the Ward Development Forum, local Ward Councillor Xolisa Peter and the local subcouncil manager, Mandlenkosi Sitonga, have decided to refurbish the training centre. To rebuild a facility of this size would cost us approximately R150 million, thus, we have decided to press on with the most urgent maintenance need – the roof.
‘With only a few weeks of work still left in 2022, I’m delighted to say that the rehabilitation is moving swiftly along. To date we have spent approximately R11 million on replacing the roofing which is expected to be 80% complete by mid-December 2022 when the construction industry shuts down for the festive season.
‘We are currently busy securing funding over the next two financial years to complete the full rehabilitation of this centre, including replacing the electrical reticulation and fittings, rehabilitating the ablutions and general plumbing, installation of new floor and aluminium windows and doors, a new ceiling, external security lighting, and upgrading the parking area,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
The Khayelitsha Training Centre provides vital support to local entrepreneurs within the community, and plays a pivotal role in the economic development of the area.
‘The City is currently engaging the local Training Centre Association and other role-players in establishing a sustainable management model. We are excited about these engagements, as well as the refurbishment, and the opportunities that will follow suit,’ said Alderman Andrews.
Source: City Of Cape Town