DA In Ekurhuleni Welcomes The Upcoming Opening Of The ECD Centre in Eden Park

Statement by Cllr. Khathutshelo Rasilingwane — DA Party Whip of the Health and Social Development Oversight Committee in Ekurhuleni

Date: 12 September 2022

Release: Immediate

Type: Media statement

The Democratic Alliance in Ekurhuleni welcomes the announcement by the Executive Mayor, Ald. Tania Campbell earlier this month, regarding the upcoming opening of the Early Childhood Development Centre in Eden Park.

This follows an oversight visit that was conducted by the Executive Mayor as part of the Multi-Party Coalitions back-to-basics programme, that takes place every Friday.

The ECD centre was previously set to be completed by the 2018/2019 financial year end, of which the project was indeed completed by April 2019. However, after completion the Centre was never opened to the public and no reasons were given.

In October 2019, the DA conducted an oversight visit to the facility and was shocked by the state of the Centre, grass had not been cut in months, doors were cracked and the burglar gates were damaged. All of this was owing to the delay by the previous administration in opening the facility to the public.

Built to serve the community of Eden Park, the facility became an R15 million eyesore that residents could not use.

As the DA, we have been at the forefront of driving the issue of the ‘white elephant’ of Eden Park and we welcome the commitment to open the facility by the Executive Mayor, it is indeed another testament of the Multi-Party Coalitions commitment to getting the basics right.

Cllr. Khathutshelo Rasilingwane

DA Party Whip of the Health & Social Development Oversight Committee in Ekurhuleni

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