In a significant boost to the Bayview community, the Sibaya Community Trust has donated over R9.5 million for the development of a new community hall and skills training centre in Chatsworth.
The new facility, launched last week, promises to transform the lives of local residents by providing vital skills and resources to help them pursue better opportunities and enhance their livelihoods.
Vivian Reddy, the founder and chairman of the Sibaya Community Trust, emphasised the Trust’s commitment to making a positive impact on individuals in the community and promoting sustainable development in the region.
“The donation reflects the Trust’s dedication to creating a brighter future for the people of Bayview and contributing to their overall well-being,” he said.
The new centre will serve as a hub for education, training, and community engagement, fostering a supportive environment for skills development and personal growth. It will also run a daily soup kitchen to provide nutritional meals to the community. Through this initiative, Sibaya Community Trust aims to uplift and empower individuals by equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed in various fields.
During the handover ceremony, eThekwini Municipality’s chairperson for the Community Services Committee, Zama Sokhabase, praised the initiative as a “critical intervention which provides a cushion to the most vulnerable in our society who would have been left destitute without these services.”
Ms Sokhabase noted that the Bayview Ubuntu Community Centre exemplified how partnerships with social partners can lead to a better life for all South Africans.
“Sibaya Community Trust and Mr Reddy have a long history of supporting community development initiatives and making a difference in people’s lives. We commend the Trust for investing over R250 million in 150 charity organizations over the years,” she said.
The donation is expected to be a catalyst for transformation and progress within the Bayview community. By investing in the establishment of this centre, the Trust is planting the seeds for a more vibrant and prosperous future for all residents.
Sibaya Community Trust acknowledged the importance of community collaboration and partnerships in driving sustainable change. The donation towards the development of the community and skills training centre underscores the Trust’s belief in the collective effort needed to build a better tomorrow for Bayview and its inhabitants.
The centre is the brainchild of activist and chairperson of the Bayview Flats Residents’ Association, Brandon Pillay.
“This centre is a beacon of hope to the Bayview community, a lighthouse standing on a hill, and would have never been possible without the support and generosity of Vivian Reddy and the Sibaya Community Trust. Vivian is our community hero and has brought hope to the forgotten community of Bayview. We will forever be indebted to him and the Trust,” Mr Pillay said.
