Building a brighter future, today the first sod was turned for the construction of a brand new early learning child centre - The Vukuzakhe Creche.

Ballito Junction Regional Mall, together with Build the Future Project, is building the early learning centre in Ndwedwe, located 35km from the mall in the iLembe District.

The project continues Ballito Junction’s commitment to its community and to being a source of long-term economic benefits for the people of the region. This includes creating jobs, developing skills, and supporting those who are most vulnerable in its community.

Early childhood development centres have far-reaching benefits for their communities. For children, they provide the base blocks for creativity, reading, play and socialisation and school readiness for the next phase of learning. It is a platform that changes lives and instils hope; thus it plays a key role in eliminating poverty and crime.

CEO of Ballito Junction Regional Mall, Geraldine Jorgensen, says: “We’re delighted to start construction on the creche. By investing in building this much-needed early learning centre, Ballito Junction is also investing in a better future for its community. Building this structure will help provide the proper school foundation for children in this community and encourage more parents to send their children to the learning facility.”

Build the Future had two school projects in the Ndwedwe community. However, the second school, providing early learning to 17 children aged two to six, was closed in December 2017 when the owner of the hut in which it was housed returned to live there. At short notice, the community rallied together to build a mud hut, ensuring that learning could start again in January 2018.

However, a more permanent and suitable structure is needed. Ballito Junction Regional Mall’s co-owners, the investment consortium of Menlyn Maine Investment Holdings and Flanagan & Gerard Property Development & Investment have made funds available for the  constructing the preschool.

The plans for the centre have been reviewed and approved by the town planner of Ndwedwe Municipality. In addition, Inkosi F Luthuli and the Ingonyama Trust Board have given permission for a creche and preschool to be constructed on a suitable site.

Ballito Junction has also secured the participation of several of its industry-leading partners to become a force for good with this project. The plans for the early learning centre have been drawn by ckb.mds Architecture. Vision Elevators are also contributing towards the project. WBHO will assist with a donation of some construction material. Smith & Winfield will provide paint.  

In addition, the local community will assist with labour to support skills transfer. Baboo Harricharan of Super Construction based in Shakaskraal will also assist.

Even the building material will be purchased from a nearby 150-year-old family business, Bhambhayi Hardware. So, every possible element of this projects supports local education and the local economy.

“This creche will have significant and far-reaching positive impacts for the future of this community, and we welcome the involvement of anyone who wants to make a contribution to the project. Whatever you can do, be it giving a donation or sharing an act of kindness, everything is welcome. The more we work together, the more we can achieve,” encourages Jorgensen.

While building the creche stands to have significant and far-reaching community benefits, Jorgensen is confident that this is only the start.

“The building paves the way forward for other sustainable projects like vegetable gardens and fruit trees for food and create a place of community volunteerism. We are excited at the potential for good that is being built,” Jorgensen concludes.