JOHANNESBURG - A multi-million-rand enterprise and skills hub in Reiger Park stands empty, despite more than R108 million being spent building it.
Located in a community heavily plagued by drugs and gangsterism, the facility was designed to provide local traders with retail spaces and skills training,
but its doors remain shut.
It is one of five completed facilities, costing a combined R209-million, that Ekurhuleni has listed as unused.
Even residents want the hub to open.
“It could have made a big difference because there are many of us who looked forward to this facility for jobs. Especially me, I just finished school last year. I’m still sitting at home. This is a really big waste of time,” a resident said.
The City of Ekurhuleni said the Reiger Park Enterprise Hub and Ramaphosa Skills Centre was built for trading, light industry, manufacturing workshops, offices and training. But for years, it’s been standing idle.
Despite repeated attempts by eNCA to get answers from the city, neither the mayor nor any municipal officials were available.
Community leader, Lucinda Schubert, said the hub could be a huge benefit for young people in the area.
“There are a lot of youth that don’t know what to do with themselves. That don’t know where to go. With the training centre and everything built here and can help teach the youth and make them employable. Giving them skills, but none of that is being utilised. Not like there’s an alternative place in Reiger Park for those kinds of things to happen.”
This building in Reiger Park is one part of a wider problem.
Ekurhuleni has listed five completed but unused facilities in its metro, including sports facilities in Bakerton and Vosloorus and early childhood development centres in Vosloorus and Eden Park.
Reiger Part CPF member Leon Bussack said opening the hub could help keep young people away from criminal activities.
“It’s a shame that we have a building like this just standing around when it could be used. We always say a lack of opportunity will result in the criminal element sneaking in. This is a typical example. It’s only one of a few examples in Reiger Park. It’s sad to see that such a building is not being used. These boys could find themselves out of the drug trade. Doing something more constructive.”