DA Stands with Kwa-Thema Stimulation Centre

by Cllr Patricia Mathebula — DA PR Councillor in the City of Ekurhuleni

Date: 1 November 2023

Release: Immediate

Type: Media statement

The Democratic Alliance in the City of Ekurhuleni has welcomed the the reviewal of the Kwa-Thema Stimulation Centre lease agreement.

The Kwa-Thema Stimulation Centre was established in 1999. It is the first centre to provide early childhood development services for children with disabilities in Tsakane, Duduza, and Kwa-Thema.

Currently, the centre serves sixty (60) children with various disabilities, including Down Syndrome, autism, and hypercalcemia. In addition to its services, the centre is Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) accredited, enabling it to offer National Qualifications Framework Level four (4) and five (5) training in inclusive education.

At present, the centre is providing National Qualifications Framework Level four (4) training to thirty (30) early childhood development practitioners from Kwa-Thema. Furthermore, the centre has formed a partnership with Impala Platinum to educate the local populace in early childhood development. This initiative was prompted by the fact that 70% to 80% of ECD practitioners do not possess formal qualifications in ECD. In addition to its ECD services, the centre collaborated with a digital movement organisation from Canada to provide computer skills training.

Subsequently, in 2019, the City put the two portions of land up for public tender, where the centre was outbid by a business offering shisanyama and bottle store services.

Thankfully, item did not pass through council. The DA will continue to fight for the community and pursue all avenues available to ensure that the community and those in need are better served by the government.

Cllr Patricia Mathebula

DA PR Councillor in the City of Ekurhuleni

081 521 9164