Once a place where young people could prepare for skilled careers, the Chamdor Skills Development Training Centre in Kagiso now stands abandoned and vandalised, with alleged criminal activity taking place on the property.

Local youth have appealed to Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) to intervene, saying the once-promising facility has been neglected despite its potential to serve the community.

According to Mogale City councillor Tyrone Gray, Chamdor has historically been home to a strong informal automotive industry. He said many artisans in the area have received little or no formal skills development, making a functioning training centre particularly important.

The Krugersdorp News visited the derelict campus and found clear signs of long-term neglect. The hall had damaged ceilings and unlocked doors, while overgrown grass and illegal dumping reflected years of abandonment. Graffiti covered walls, broken windows scarred what were once classrooms, and vandalism was evident throughout the property.

Youth refuse to give up on the centre

Despite the condition of the campus, local young people have created their own spaces where they continue to run programmes and workshops.

Mongezi More, a local painter, uses a vandalised office on the property as a studio and creative space. However, he believes the municipality should restore the facility and invest in opportunities for young people.

“The conditions here are off-putting, and we urge Mogale City to take action to assist the youth. When schools close for the holidays, this could be a great place to host holiday programmes for young people,” he said.

Bongane Mokali, who runs an after-school programme, said local youth have taken the initiative to use parts of the abandoned campus for tutorials and community projects that support disadvantaged young people. However, he believes municipal intervention is still needed to restore the facility.

“We have made appeals to Mogale City in the past, asking them to intervene, but they showed no interest. We hope that by attending IDP meetings and asking councillors to visit the site, something will finally be done to resolve the situation at the campus,” he said.

Municipality’s response

The News approached MCLM for comment, and the municipality acknowledged the condition of the campus.

MCLM head of communications Adrian Amod confirmed the municipality is aware of the current state of the centre and the concerns raised by community members. He said various municipal departments have conducted inspections to assess the condition of the facility.

Amod said the municipality is considering all lawful, practical and financially sustainable options for the future of the centre. He said any decision will depend on the outcome of the technical assessments, available funding and the municipality’s statutory obligations, while taking into account the option that best serves the long-term interests of the community.

He added that no cost estimate has been determined, as assessments are still underway to establish the extent of the work required and the associated financial implications.

“Any future expenditure will be subject to the necessary technical assessments, budgetary processes and applicable legislative requirements. It would therefore be premature to provide an estimated cost at this stage,” he concluded.