Diepsloot, on the northern boundary of Johannesburg, has attracted huge informal settlements with an estimated population of over 350 000. The dramatic growth in the area has meant that thousands of young people have little in the way of further education and life-skills support facilities.
Father Louis Blondel, a missionary who lived and worked in Diepsloot, wanted to give school learners and leavers hope, self-belief and life skills. Tragically, Father Louis was murdered in a robbery four years ago but organisations, including the SOFT Support Association, a French fundraising organisation, were determined to keep his dream alive and dedicate the centre to him.
Lafarge South Africa partnered with the SOFT Support Association to help start the first phase of the project, known as the Father Louis Blondel Centre. The company’s sponsorship came in the form of cement and readymix concrete together with plasterboard and plaster cornices from Lafarge Gypsum.
The building boasts a dedicated training room and an open area with wireless internet. It will be used for various IT and technology projects aimed at developing skills and creating opportunities for the youth in Diepsloot.
Built on a slope overlooking the sprawling Diepsloot extensions, the structure has achieved its objective of creating an impressive building with a sense of place. The design makes maximum use of available light, while attention to acoustics aims to provide a suitably tranquil learning atmosphere.
“It is envisaged that the beneficiaries of the Community Centre will be local school learners, students, parents and young people, looking for learning opportunities, ” says the project’s architect, Luigi Salemi of Vox Humana Architects. “The principals of nearby schools are enthusiastic about the project, saying how vital it is for students to have a place where they have access to the internet.”
“We see the Centre as an important resource for the Diepsloot community and are proud to be a part of this wonderful initiative,” comments Lafarge’s transformation manager, Esther Seabi. “As the project nears completion, the excitement is mounting! We expect the keys will be handed over in August with an official opening in October.”
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