The Sakhuluntu Cultural Group has submitted a request to utilise the Extension 9 community hall free of charge.
The Sakhuluntu Cultural Group has submitted a request to utilise the Extension 9 community hall free of charge.
The request appeared in the agenda of the recent Land, Housing, Infrastructural Development and Disaster Management (LHID) Portfolio Committee meeting.
Sakhuluntu Cultural Group was started in 1998 by Vuyo Booi and aims to keeps children off the streets and away from drugs, alcohol and violence by involving them in arts and culture initiatives.
The project is currently using Booi's house in Extension 9 as a meeting and practice place. The group is growing and needs a more spacious venue to continue with their daily activities
LHID Chairperson, Zamuxolo Peter said this has to be done through the correct procedures. "Honestly we can't deny anything to the community, but it needs to be done the right way," he said.
Baart agreed that the request should not be handled by the LHID, but should have been taken before the estates directorate where a lease agreement should be proposed. Baart explained that Corporate Services has been sitting on this matter for some time and that the group has complained of the delay in response.
It was then resolved that the item should be submitted before the mayoral committee as proposed by Baart. The newly built community hall is intended to be used for a variety of community and cultural activities.
It stood vacant for some time while it was boycotted by the residents who demanded that a sacrificial cleansing ceremony take place there, after a worker died on-site during the construction in May.
However, since July it has been used a number of times for functions and meetings. Interviews for the post of hall caretaker were held earlier this month and an appointment is expected to be made soon.
