SAPS Training Academy Bhisho reach out to Mzwakhe Day Care at Mount Coke

Bhisho SAPS Training Academy under the leadership of Col Joslen Exford have decided to reach out and add their voice in the fight against gender based violence through identifying a local community preschool to clean, paint and renovate.

“Even though we are a training academy we are part of the community.  We have chosen this community organization in order to impact on the children.  If we strengthen Mzwakhe Day Care Centre we are providing an alternative and safer environment for the children.  We have also chosen this school in order to share a message with this community that abusing women and children is not allowed and accepted in our country, “said Col Exford.

Local business, BUCO Hardware donated paints and other hardware. “This is not our first time helping a community initiative, we had a similar engagement with SAPS last year.  We work with schools, churches and community organizations because our shop survive through the support of this community,” said Songezwa Sisilana representing BUCO-King Williams Town.

The Chairperson of Board of Trustees of Mzwakhe Day Care, Mr Mbuzeli Yiba said this day care is a non-profit organization with three staff members namely a teacher,  cleaner and cooker.  They get a stipend once every three months.  “We would like to be adopted because we have nothing as a community school.  School children are paying because we have nothing,” he appealed.

Addressing the community, Col Exford said in her message, “All women must talk, announce and discourage against women abuse.  That is why we must teach the little ones that abuse is not allowed,” she added.

Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of community, Mthetheleli Mninzi said the preschool began in a rondavel that collapsed after time.  It is after Mr Mzwakhe Gqubule who used to work at our local hospital who was touched and decided to leave a legacy.

“This is how the Day care became known as Mzwakhe Day Care Centre, it was named after him,” he recalled.  He also added his voice in condemning gender abuse.