Poor management blamed for Harambe’s downfall

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They claim the centre is no longer fulfilling its original purpose of youth empowerment, which included offering classes to improve the quality of mathematics and science education for all the gifted youth of the community.

The centre management, however, said the centre has made great strides in tackling skills shortages, technological illiteracy and poverty, since the current management structures took over a couple of years ago.

“The centre was founded by several Reiger Park alumni, who helped to raise money for the construction of the centre a few decades ago,” said one of the concerned residents, Alfred Woodington.

“The vision was to provide curriculum support, professional development and student services to educators in local schools.

Concerned residents feel that the centre was previously successful in developing the skills of the Reiger Park youth, as it used to serve as a resource centre for educational materials and information.

Members of the Reiger Park ANCYL, who appeared very angry about the current day-to-day running of the centre, echoed the views of the concerned residents.

“As the youth of Reiger Park, we have purely apolitically taken it upon ourselves to restore the hijacked purposes of the centre, which was meant to benefit the youth of this community,” said Reiger Park ANCYL secretary Andile Mdepha.

He is among the four members of the ANCYL who were recently arrested for public violence by the EMPD, at the entrance to the Harambe Community Development and Resource Centre.

The centre, which is run by two organisational structures – a board of directors and a trust – has, however, denied the allegations levelled against its management.

“We are aware of the false allegations being levelled against the centre by a group of people claiming that they are representing the ruling party,” said one of the trustees, Gregory Fisch, who is also a local school principal.

Putting the record straight, Fisch, said: “Firstly, I’d like to clear up the misconception that trustees serve as members of the board of directors. This is not true.

”The board members are dynamic youngsters from the community.”

Finch added that, contrary to the claims, Harambe board members are re-elected every three years.

“Anybody can make themselves available to be elected as board members,” he explained.

“Secondly, we have been accused of money squandering, but we have proof to the contrary. To ensure that every cent is accounted for, we have an independent auditor who examines the financial records and transactions of the centre.

“None of the board members, staff or trustees ever benefited financially from the centre; we have not benefited even a cent.

Fisch said they have proof that the centre has made great strides in empowering the local youth.

“It needs to be remembered that, when the current management took over the centre, it was being used only as a private crèche,” he added.

”No money has been coming into the centre for the past year, so we have been running it on our own steam.

“Contrary to popular belief, the staff render their services free of charge, and they don’t get even a stipend payment.

“Although we don’t receive funding, the centre is still operational and we have local NGOs that are beneficiaries of Harambe.”

According to Fisch, local schools have recently benefited from the Investment of Excellence Programme, rendered by the Pacific Institute, in partnership with Harambe, free of charge.

The centre offers health programmes for local women, along with computer training, also free of charge.

“A free SMME Training Programme is also offered through the Greater Boksburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while the Kip McGrath Education Centre has partnered with us to provide expert tutoring in literacy and numeracy for children from local schools,” he said.

Fisch added that local teachers have already received training provided by Kip McGrath Education Centres, in partnership with Harambe.

“The centre was supposed to host literacy and numeracy training for local children during this school holiday, but the training was put on hold due to the recent protest staged by a group of people outside the centre,” he said.

“Harambe has also recently partnered with Gauteng Enterprise Propeller. to ensure entrepreneurs receive financial support or non-financial support skills development.

“We have also been sending unemployed youth to St Anthony’s Educational Centre, to acquire skills in welding, carpentry and other courses, which are fully paid for by Harambe.”

Fisch said the centre has other projects for the community in the pipeline.

“Those who are complaining have not been doing anything for the community over the past 40 years,” he pointed out. ”If they can prove that there is just one project that they have delivered successfully, or that is in the pipeline, we will take our hats off for them.

“Harambe is run by the community and for the community. We are willing to work with anybody, provided what they bring us will be of benefit to the community, not just individuals.”