NPO co-op working to create jobs
NON-PROFIT organisation, the Group for Change Social Co-operative was launched at the community hall at Ekuphumleni township on Saturday by former policeman and church minister Rev Mlibi Wopa.
Wopa said the group would partner with the Ethiopian Episcopal Church and James Mata Dwane Diocese projects to benefit the needy in Ndlambe and the former Ciskei and Transkei.
The initiative’s main project is a cultural village with a B&B, and crocodile and rabbit farm in Kenton-on-Sea, Wopa said.
By alleviating poverty, he hopes to reduce crime and social ills such as teenage pregnancy.
He said teenage girls saw pregnancy as an escape route as they received government grants and maintenance from elderly men.
He said teenage girls as young as 15 joined the sex trade industry and some parents condoned it or did not speak out.
To alleviate serious crimes and social ills, especially in informal settlements, the co-operative will also approach the provincial government, Ndlambe Municipality and Sarah Baartman District Municipality for land, machinery and equipment and the payment of stipends to the workforce. Animal breeding, poultry and crops will be produced.
Wopa has been trained in breeding pigs for commercial farming and the co-operative has a piece of land for the poultry and piggery projects.
Agri-Parks, in the Sundays River region, a tomato factory at Coega, a chilli factory in Grahamstown, a chicken abattoir in Grahamstown, and the Lentaba, Fort Jackson and East London abattoirs are target markets.
The co-op also visited the Department of Correctional Services to assist ex-offenders to reconcile with their communities, Wopa said.
The co-op also planned to establish a neighbourhood watch in Ekuphumleni and Marselle involving foot patrols and crime busters in schools.
Marselle and Ekuphumleni have experienced devastating incidents of arson with the loss of lives and valuables. It is hoped the fire station on the R72 road between Boesmansriviermond and Harmony Park would be a labour intensive facility, Wopa said.
Group for Change would also recruit youth from every street corner for rugby, soccer, cricket, netball and tennis, Wopa said.
The co-op also wishes to extend religious instruction to minors aged six to 13 and provide a youth development centre to train youth in computers and communication.
On a cautionary note, Wopa said nature reserves that were owned by foreigners should not bring in their own labourers and foreigners should not allow themselves to be used as cheap labour.
Neither should government departments or municipalities import labour, he added.
Finally, Wopa said the Group for Change Social Co-operative received a multi-agency initiative grant which was not enough.
Anyone who would like to contribute dry ingredients, vegetables, perishables and clothing for distribution for the poorest of the poor, can contact Wopa on 060-431-5759 or his deputy, Thom, at 073-941-8948.