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Creche Rebuilt In Tornado-Torn Tongaat

Creche Rebuilt In Tornado-Torn Tongaat

Author: By Independent Journalist
Date: 2024-09-27

When the devastating tornado struck Tongaat on the KwaZulu-North Coast on 3 June 2024, killing at least 12 people and destroying thousands of houses, the children of Qoqisizwe Creche were left distraught when their building was wrecked.

Like 13 other early childhood development centres that were severely damaged in the tornado, more than 100 children at the 40-year-old Qoqisizwe Creche in Magwaveni township were left without a day-care facility.

Through the efforts of various stakeholders, Partnership with Purpose was established to provide essential relief support to the Tongaat community, without duplicating efforts.

With generous contributions from various government and private sector organizations, including agri-processing company Tongaat Hulett, Partnership with Purpose rebuilt Qoqisizwe Creche within just two months.

When the creche was handed over on 6 September to founder and owner, 70-year-old Mandlenkosi Ntuli, who caters for 115 children, there were big smiles on the faces of the kids and their parents who can return to work, safe in the knowledge that their little ones are being well cared for during the day.

The 10 employees - seven child minders, a cleaner, a cook, and a security guard - were also overjoyed when the creche reopened because they were without work during the rebuilding.

Eduard Louw, project co-ordinator with Partnership with Purpose, acknowledged the generous contributions from various government and private sector partners.

"We take great pride in welcoming back over 115 children to the creche, as their parents begin to rebuild their lives.

"The handover of the creche holds significant importance for the Magwaveni community and the stakeholders who have continued to provide support and resources, particularly in an area where the majority of the devastation occurred.

"This handover ceremony symbolizes hope and resilience for the families affected by this disaster," he said.

Rob Aitken, acting CEO of Tongaat Hulett, said: "As we are in this new provincial government of unity, it is important for us to come together and unite from different background and bring our skills.

"The rebuilding of Qoqisizwe Creche highlighted the strategic collaborations between businesses, NGOs, and government departments that drove positive impact on a key societal challenge in ways that leveraged each other's unique strengths.

"For us at Tongaat Hulett, the smiles on the faces of children and their parents said it all."