Together, Cloetesville's leaders want to make a difference

Approximately 60 Cloetesville leaders and community members met on Saturday 16 October to address the biggest challenges facing the community. The gathering is the initiative of Malena Fourie, who received significant support from all the role players in the community, in collaboration with the Centre for Public Witness. Braam Hanekom gives us feedback on the discussion.

"The group decided to create a platform that will meet more frequently in the future in order to discuss the following issues in the hope of achieving concrete results:

• The establishment of a multi-purpose centre where both skills training and the healing of trauma will be addressed.

• The clarification and establishment of updated value systems as well as the role of parents in this connection. This includes respect for each other and the community.

• The needs of young people, including unemployment and substance abuse.

• Cooperation between NGOs.

• Gangs and the absence of role models.

• Safe spaces for entertainment and leadership training.

The participants decided to draw up a memorandum of understanding that will determine the platform's mandate. The six members of the management group who have been selected are Edward Crawley, Kevin Jooste, Valerie Fernandez, Magdalene Blankenberg, Martinus Groenewald and Kauthar Adams. People who want to receive further information or make contributions can call Malena Fourie on 083 858 9779."