. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .--NEWS • IZINDABA--
EYETHU BAY WATCH • February 22, 2012
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PHOTOS: LESLEY NAUDÈ
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Making traditional skins for sale is one of the Jabulani’s CWP workers’ many talents. Pictured here with the newly cut skins are CWP Assistant Facilitator - Jacob Dludla, CWP Site Facilitator - Bongani Majola, Cogta representative - Danny Kinsey and Jabulani Team Leader - Goodness Buthelezi
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Physically disabled CWP participants of Jabulani Rehabilitation Centre have been restoring damaged desks for rural schools
Disabilities won’t stop us LESLEY NAUDÈ JUST because you are physically disabled does not mean you cannot be an active member of society. This is exactly what the residents of Jabulani Rehabilitation Centre, outside Empangeni, are discovering through the training and guidance provided by the Community Works Programme (CWP). Last year CWP was able to donate R10 000 to the Jabulani Rehabilitation Centre to be used as credit for the purchasing of raw materials for their crafts project. The residents are now skilfully making traditional clothing from animal skins, to sell. Other projects include the restoration of broken desks from surrounding rural schools and the maintenance of the Jabulani grounds. This community-driven government funded programme, located in the National Department of Co-Operative Governance (DCoG), is implemented by the Zululand Centre for Sustainable Development (ZCSD), a long standing NGO based in Empangeni and run by a dedicated team, managed by Gavin and Zelda Eichler. The programme provides eight days of work a month for each participant. CWP is designed as an employment safety net, not an employment solution, by providing a baseline of income security, work experience and training in areas of high unemployment. By targeting the poor rural areas the programme is bringing a ray of hope to many desperate situations. The bigger picture The ZCSD manages 5 000 work opportunities in five Zululand sites: uMlalazi, Mtubatuba, uMhlabuayalingana, Nkandla and Ndwedwe. Twenty-five of these come from Jabulani. ‘We have a high turnover of participants,’ says CWP Site Facilitator, Bongani Majola, ‘because once people have worked with us for a while they are often able to secure full-time employment or get the motivation to start their own small enterprises. ‘The programme supplies an opportunity to get your first job and gives you the dignity to strive for better. ‘At the same time participants are able to be a blessing to their community because the projects we do are all looking to meet the community’s most pressing needs.’ For more information contact the Zululand Centre for Sustainable Development on 083 9551348. For more information on Jabulani and their traditional clothing, contact Goodness on 078 7600015. ....