15-06-2025
Toolbox powers on despite funding crisis
The Toolbox Empowerment Hub has, over the past two years, helped to breathe new life into neighbourhoods throughout the Northside, working closely with residents' associations (RA) to effectively fill the void left by largely ineffective municipal entities.
From working diligently to restore green belts to their original glory, to ridding the area of invasive trees, clearing waterways, and maintaining curbs, they do it all.
The difference they've made in neighbourhoods is plain for anyone to see, and goes far beyond simply improving the aesthetics of the area.
Open spaces have been cleared, thereby minimising activities such as illegal recycling and vagrancy.
Also read: Toyota backs Toolbox Hub with bakkie to boost community projects
Infrastructure that was hidden beneath overgrowth for years has been revealed once more, often leading to the discovery of longstanding water leaks, sewage spills and other pressing problems.
According to Andrew Holdsworth, who runs the Toolbox Empowerment Hub on behalf of Krugersdorp-based charitable organisation, The Bethany House Trust (BHT), the initiative is a massive success on every front.
'We've just completed an extensive cleanup in Laser Park, and we'll be starting on a new project for the WRAP [Willowbrooke, Ruimsig, Amorosa and Poortview] RA in the next week or so,' he says.
Toolbox was born from a need to improve the success rates of rehabilitation and re-integration efforts by BHT's shelter for men.
'It was evident that traditional rehabilitation programmes are ineffective,' says Andrew.
'The rate of relapse was unbelievable, simply because users would come into the programme after hitting rock bottom, with no prospects whatsoever. The one thing we could not provide through traditional rehabilitation treatment was that.
'You can't help someone with no prospects, no hope, and no money. The Toolbox initiative gives people the chance to retake control of their lives. In addition to personal and coping skills they are taught, they also learn practical work skills, and they are able to earn an honest income, thereby restoring their sense of dignity and pride.
'It also provides them something to aim for, since they can work themselves up to higher levels within the programme.
'Our successes speak for themselves.'
However, the Department of Social Development does not agree, as the hub's funding application was denied, meaning the positive impacts seen in the current financial year are significantly lower than it was last year.
'Last year, we managed to help 815 people work through the programmes. That is 815 families that now have an active breadwinner, thanks to this initiative.
'Our partnerships with the different RAs and local businesses enable us to carry on our work, but not nearly to the extent that we would like to.'
The Toolbox team, in partnership with CFAO Mobility dealership IC Auto Nissan, is currently in the process of starting a community garden where fresh produce will be grown for distribution to various charitable causes and school feeding programmes.
'This should provide stable work for about 40 people,' says Andrew.
'We look forward to even more opportunities with the residents' associations and local businesses for the upliftment of neighbourhoods.
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