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EMBARGO: None
DATE: 22February 2018
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IDT steps in to construct places of safety for vulnerable youth
The Independent Development Trust has stepped in to help the Department of Social Development in KwaZulu-Natal to properly look after the youth in places of safety in Durban.
This is after the department had appointed the IDT to undertake renovations and upgrades at the Umlazi and Ocean View places of safety, two of this kind of facilities, which were in a state of disrepair, in the city.
Once the renovations are completed by the IDT, the facilities will enable a number of children who have been abused, neglected and abandoned to live in a safe, secure and dignified environment while their educational needs are being taken care of.The work on the Umlazicentre commenced in 2015 and is expected to be fully completed in 2018.
The scope of work undertaken in the facility included the upgrading the existing administration block, classrooms, offices, nursery and a crèche, dormitory block and change rooms, kitchen, dining area and store rooms.
The total costs for upgrading this facility is about R14.6-million and the project has created 32 work opportunities for local labourers, almost all of whom are women and the youth.
In the Ocean View facility, located in Wentworth on the outskirts of the city, the IDT was appointed to build a new administration block, laundry block, guard house and install new fencing, storm water drainage, fire suppression system and kitchen equipment as well as to renovate existing dormitories and activity room.
The work undertaken on this place of safety costs over R15-million and these renovations are being undertaken in phases and some of the completed buildings within this project are already occupied by the residents. The project has created 33 work opportunities for the local labour market.
On both these projects the IDT is working with an experienced consulting company in the province in order to fast-track the completion of the structure and to ensure that the communities benefit fully from the implementation of these projects.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The IDT is an entity of the National Department of Public Works that is mandated to support all spheres of government with social infrastructure management and programme implementation.
In the past five years the IDT supported 40 government departments including building 97 new schools and 36 new health facilities while renovating hundreds more and created more than 360 000 work opportunities in various communities through its implementation of social infrastructure programmes and the Expanded Public Works Programme.
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IDT steps in to construct places of safety for vulnerable youth
21 February 2018
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