Instead of being a place where young people can develop their business skills, the Wedela business hive is currently of no use to the community.

The Wedela business hive is situated next to the community hall.

Despite being at the centre of the town, the facility is run-down.

Grass and weeds are growing about waist-high in what used to be the garden, while even the paving is overgrown with long grass. There is nothing left of the car wash, hair salon, and butchery that used to be run from the facility.

“This facility was vandalised after it was no longer used.

This is a huge challenge to young people and places the youth from Wedela at a disadvantage because the similar hives in other towns are functioning,” says a concerned resident, Ayanda Tobo.

When Tobo and another concerned resident, Lunga Zituta, and others tried to find out more, they were told that young people can rent hives at the business hive from a local businessman.

The facility was, however, donated by AngloGold Ashanti to the Merafong City Local Municipality for the benefit of the community.

Although the Herald asked the municipality’s marketing and communications officer, Temba Fezani, for more information, nothing was forthcoming by printing time.