One of the ASLA Foundation’s mantra’s is that “we cannot expect functional healthy communities if we are not prepared to contribute” and at the mid-February handover of the newly renovated Nuwerus ECD centre, a Western Cape Government Citizens Interface Programme initiative, this principle was demonstrated in spades through multi-stakeholder collaboration of the private and public sector that included Public Service Commission, West Coast District Municipality, the Matzikama Municipality, SANTAM, the ASLA Foundation, PRINRO, Correctional Services (that provided some of the workmen), the Construction SETA, Diakonale Dienste, Uniting Reformed Church (Nuwerus), Woodenscape and Vredendal Signs.
Nuwerus is a settlement located on the N7 to Springbok, almost four hours’ drive from Cape Town. The Western Cape Citizens Interface Programme is aimed to benefit remotely located citizens, in far flung areas such as Nuwerus, which before the rehabilitation of a former school building that had fallen into disrepair, did not have an all-important Early Childhood Development centre for children of preschool age.
Our chairman, Pierre Blaauw, was one of the many participants and contributors invited to share a few words, and we have transcribed and translated his speech below. Each speech delivered was meaningful, and really drove home the fact that everyone was excited to be a part of creating a piece of social infrastructure that will benefit communities in the years to come.
“Dit is werklik vir ons ‘n voorreg om hier te kan wees. ASLA het ‘n lang verhouding met die Matzikama munisipaliteit, en ons het al baie werk oor die jare heen, hier gedoen.
“It is truly a privilege for us to be here. ASLA has had a long relationship with the Matzikama municipality, and over the years we have done a lot of work here.
“’n Paar jaar gelede het ons regtig ernstig gesit en gesê: “Om huise in gemeenskappe te bou is een ding, maar om gemeenskappe te bou is iets anders”. En om dit reg te kry, moet ‘n mens na sosiale infrastruktuur kyk. Ons het dit ernstig opgeneem en die ASLA Stigting (Foundation) op die been gebring, wat baie goed bestuur word deur mnr Mervin Green. Mervin doen moeite, Mervin is ons kompas!
A few years ago, we sat down and considered the fact that building houses in communities is one thing, but building communities is another – and to achieve this, one must look at social infrastructure. As part of our commitment to make a serious difference we set up the ASLA Foundation, that is managed through the dedicated efforts of Mr Mervin Green, who acts as our compass!”
“Ons produksiespanne “kom in”, wil huise bou en erwe diens, maar Mervin sê: “Wag, stop die bus, staan ‘n bietjie stil, wat is nog nodig hier?” Dit is deur sy harde werk dat ons bewus geraak het van die behoeftes hier. En dit is klein treetjies, maar belangrike treetjies wat ons gee, elke keer as ons by soiets betrokke raak in die verskillende gemeenskappe waar ons werk. En dit is regtig vir ons baie belangrik. Mnr Green het ook ons verskaffers genader en gesê: “Luister, ons gebruik julle produkte, kom bietjie na die “partytjie” toe!”
“While our production teams arrive on site wanting to build houses and provide a service, Mervin will consider what else is needed. It is through his hard work that we became aware of the needs in the Municipality. Every time we get involved in the different communities where we work, we make small but important steps. Mr. Green will also approach our suppliers to see if they are willing to contribute.
“Ek wil vir PRINRO bedank – dit is werklik vir ons ‘n voorreg om saam met hulle te werk. Toe ons om hulp gevra het, het hulle onmiddellik hand aan die ploeg geslaan….
“I want to thank PRINRO – it is truly a privilege for us to work with them. When we asked for help, they immediately acted.
“Ek was onlangs daar in Melkhoutfontein naby Stilbaai en ek sê vir die mense daar: “Kom ons droom ’n bietjie”. ‘n Vrou stop my en sê vir my: “Meneer, ons droom nie meer hier nie, ons oorleef net!”
“I was recently in Melkhoutfontein near Stilbaai speaking with some of the local people there, to whom I said: “Let’s dream a little.” A woman stopped me and said to me: “Sir, we’re not dreaming here anymore, we’re just surviving!
“En dit is waar ons vandag is. Ons wil mense eintlik net eers weer bring tot op die punt waar hulle bereid is om weer te droom. Ek dink vandag is defnitief ‘n stap in daardie rigting!
“And that’s where we are today. We want to bring people back to the point where they’re willing to dream again. I think today is a step in that direction!
“Baie, baie dankie dat ons betrokke kon wees. Dit is regtig ‘n riem onder die hart om te sien hoeveel moeite die mense bereid is om te maak. Baie dankie vir hierdie voorreg, en sterkte met die sentrum.”
“Thank you very much for allowing us to be involved. It is truly heartwarming to see how much effort people are willing to make. Thank you very much for this privilege, and good luck with the center.”
After the formalities and cutting of the ribbon, the ECD centre was declared officially open. Attendees were able to view the interior of the ECD centre where they were treated to a short song by the young children of the settlement who are now enrolled in the ECD centre. The children spent their first few hours in what we hope will become an environment conducive to their development, form a part of their daily and weekly routines, and help lay a good foundation for their future growth.
