A historic first for the community of Bayview in Chatsworth, the Bayview Flats Residents Association (BFRA) proudly announced the official opening of the Bayview Ubuntu Community Centre (BUCC) recently, which was made possible by the Sibaya Community Trust.
Through the generous support of the trust, the BFRA established a secure base for community development and upliftment with the BUCC.
With the vision of “an empowered community where members work together to improve lives”, the BFRA assembled a dedicated team of volunteers from the Bayview Flats and the Bayview community to lead the running, management and operations of the BUCC.
The BUCC will offer a variety of essential programmes, including:
– A daily soup kitchen, providing meals for the less fortunate and vulnerable.
– A medical camp offering screenings and tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, eye testing and primary healthcare.
– An advice desk for sexual, gender-based and domestic violence as well as LGBTQIA+ discrimination, featuring a white door centre of hope and women’s shelter, counselling, HIV/AIDS home-based care and VCT.
– A day clinic focusing on drug rehabilitation and substance abuse.
– A skills development centre aiming to improve employability and livelihoods.
Brandon Pillay, BFRA chairperson, in an exclusive interview with Tabloid Newspapers during the official opening, said: “This has been a long and winding road. At times, it seemed the BUCC would never come to fruition. However, the resilience of the Bayview Flats community inspired me to seek sponsorships, partnerships and support for the centre.
“The official opening marks a significant moment for the Bayview community and I dedicate this achievement to the memory of the community leaders and workers we have lost along the way. It is an honour and a privilege to stand before you as we mark a momentous occasion for the Bayview Ubuntu Community Centre. Today, we celebrate the realisation of a dream that has been in the hearts and minds of many in our community for years, particularly the BFRA.
“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Vivian Reddy, the founder and chairperson of the Sibaya Community Trust. Your vision, dedication and philanthropy have made this dream a reality. Your unwavering support for community development and empowerment has touched countless lives and today is yet another testament to your incredible generosity.”
In the interview, Pillay reflected on the challenges faced by South Africa’s poor as the bright lights of the democratic dispensation dimmed, leading to unemployment and high levels of poverty among people of colour.
“The struggle for shelter, basic services, proper healthcare and education became the highlight of social movements and communities across the country. One such community is Bayview; the Bayview Flats in particular, a community that was left to fend for itself.
“Against this backdrop, the BFRA was formed, with the decision to open the BUCC. This centre is not just a building, it is a symbol of what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose. It is a place where dreams will continue to blossom, where women will feel safe and secure, where children will find opportunities to learn, where adults can gain skills to better their lives and where our elderly can find companionship and support.
“This centre is a beacon of hope to the Bayview community, it is a lighthouse standing on a hill, and would have never been possible without the support and generosity of Mr Vivian Reddy and the Sibaya Community Trust. Mr Reddy is our community hero. He has brought hope to this forgotten community of Bayview and we will forever be indebted to him and the trust,” Pillay concluded.
