Council spends Mandela Day at rehab centre

On July 18, the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) commemorated Mandela Day at 10th Commandment Community Care Centre (10th CCCC) in Tembisa.

Speaking on behalf of PSCBC, Samuel Manamela said the rehabilitation centre plays a pivotal role in the community as it helps to rehabilitate drug addicts and integrate them back into the community.

“This year, the council took a decision to focus on organisations that deal with social ills impacting our communities, such as drug and substance abuse, HIV/Aids, poverty and women and children abuse.

“That is why we adopted the 10th CCCC to ensure we contribute towards its success,” said Manamela.

He said PSCBC took the beneficiaries at 10th CCCC to Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility for an educational tour and they received motivational talks from the inmates.

From the facility, 10th CCCC beneficiaries went to the PSCBC offices and were addressed by the PSCBC general secretary, Frikkie de Bruin.

Thereafter they had lunch and while they were away, Manamela said the work commenced smoothly as the PSCBC staff started with the first phase of installing new toilets at 10th CCCC.

“There were many needs identified at the centre which the PSCBC will be addressing in phases.

“The PSCBC also awarded one of the 10th CCCC’s residents with an educational scholarship.

“In 2016, the PSCBC visited the centre and was able to renovate the centre, erected a new signage for users to easily identify the centre and donated toiletry gift packs.

“We are an organisation that strives to always invest in projects that benefit and uplift communities through our corporate social responsibility initiatives,” Manamela explained.

Former substance abuser David Phawe said he received help from the centre and after being successfully rehabilitated, he came back to the centre to volunteer in assisting other drug addicts in giving up drugs.

“On Mandela Day, PSCBC gave us an opportunity to hear from inmates who are currently serving time due to crimes resulting from the influences of drug abuse.

“Inmates told their individual stories of what happened for them to find themselves in prison.

“In most cases, inmates cited drugs as a cause of what propelled them to do the crimes and end up in jail,” said Phawe.

He thanked the PSCBC for showing concern for the well-being of the drug addicts undergoing rehabilitation at 10th CCCC.

Tsepo Kekana, a patient at 10th CCCC, said he is a former admin clerk from the Department of Education and he lost his job due to the use of nyaope.

“I encourage all children to stay away from drugs.

“I am very excited about what the PSCBC did for us on Mandela Day.

“Thanks for the new toilets that are under construction,” said Kekana.