The Rise Above Development (RAD) project that seeks to turn a Lavender Hill open field, frequented by gangsters and where residents fall victim to crime, into a safe space received eight shipping containers that will be used to house a youth development project.
The project which has been in planning for five years is a partnership between local activist Mark Nicholson, global charity In Place of War (IPoW) and locally based non-profit organisation Breadline Africa.
The centre will house a state-of-the-art music studio, a computer room and multi-purpose classroom or library in its first phase.
Nicholson founded the Lavender Hill Sport and Recreation Foundation in 2017, which runs a sports programme, feeding scheme and community projects at a Blode Street field that was known for gang fights.
Last month Nicholson was awarded a commendation award by MEC for cultural affairs and sport, Anroux Marais, for uplifting youth in his area.
Breadline Africa’s director, Marion Wagner, said the arrival of the containers was a significant step in getting the project off the ground.
“We look forward to being an integral part of RAD’s success story and can’t wait to see how lives are changed by this brilliant initiative.
“Breadline Africa’s purpose is to create a brighter future for young children through the provision of safe educational infrastructure. The partnership with RAD is synergistic and exciting and we wish to congratulate Lindsay and her team,” she said.
The project’s manager, Lindsay Cessford, said: “We could not be more excited at the arrival of our first refurbished shipping containers. Emotions are high as this project has taken a long time to get to where we are today.”
Nicholson has appealed for more donations to be able to buy two more containers.