‘Life-giving’ CBD centre for homeless destroyed by fire
“In the past year Akanani secured jobs for 135 community members, and helped 769 with their CVs, job referrals, IDs, and job skills training.”
A devastating fire at the offices of Akanani in the Pretoria CBD has left the homeless without a place to prepare for employment opportunities.
The centre offered homeless men, aged between 29 to 59, a place where their basic needs are met.
The men are now asking Tshwane residents to assist them to rebuild the centre.
The fire broke out in the early hours of Monday according to centre operators, Tshwane Leadership Foundation (TLF).
Akanani resident, Raseruthe Rogers said around 04:30 on Monday, he and his friends were playing card games when he heard loud bangs.
“I heard sounds from the next room and went to investigate as I thought there was a burglary in progress.
“I found normality outside.”
Rogers said he went back into the house, but the sounds continued and this time, his friend went to investigate.
“My friend also returned as he had witnessed no odd occurrences outside.”
He said it was only later, in the presence of the house father, that he noticed smoke under the door.
Rogers said the fire damaged Akanani, meaning let’s build together property that was meant to assist the homeless.
He said the cause of the fire is still unknown.
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Johan Robyn of TLF said the fire had brought devastation to a facility that offered a “life-giving” opportunity to people who lived on the streets of Pretoria.
“The fire came at the worst time ever, because Akanani was ready to establish a computer training centre and had received 20 donated computers.”
He said the fire destroyed five laptops used by staff, while nine office computers, as well as a photocopy machine used by the homeless were burnt to ashes.
“The loss also includes office furniture, files and other items.”
He said the facility ran various programmes for the homeless in the inner city of Pretoria.
Robyn said the TLF team at Akanani needed help with food, employment support and psycho-social care.
“During the past year Akanani secured jobs for 135 community members, and supported 769 persons with their CVs, job referrals, IDs, and job skills training,” Robyn said
He said the outreach teams interacted with more than 3 000 community members for health support and advice.
Robyn said the Akanani office was destroyed and its work hampered.
“The staff of Akanani has to move into the chapel at the TLF head offices temporarily.”
He said Akanani had to regroup and rebuild and needed the community to assist.
“Support will be needed to establish the computer training centre, and a new space.”
Robyn urged residents and businesses to consider donating furniture, computers or a decent size photocopy machine.
Ntombi Mncwango TLF social worker said the centre was a “safe space” for the homeless.
“We have now lost a centre that assisted with employment and counselling.”
She said the facility also lost clothes it loaned the homeless when they went for job interviews.
Mncwango said that staff was also traumatised and some left without a job, temporarily.
“We need anyone that can assist to rebuild to please help,” she said.
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