A proposed R100 million community hub in Shallcross, South Africa, has officially begun construction. The SCARA Centre of Excellence, expected to open within 40 months, will serve Shallcross and surrounding communities, including Crossmoor, Moorton, Bottlebrush, and Savannah Park. The facility will focus on technology-driven teaching, SETA-accredited skills development, and civic leadership training.
The centre is being built on land donated by the Department of Human Settlements and will feature an accredited local government institute. This institute will equip young people and prospective councillors with economic and governance tools under a "Community First Framework". The project was initiated by community members who contributed R1,000 each, raising R150,000 in seed money.
More than 600 residents and guests attended the Heritage Day sod-turning ceremony on September 24 at the Shallcross Community Hall. The event marked the project's pre-development phase and was attended by community leaders, faith-based organisations, and key stakeholders. SCARA chairperson Poobalan "Pooh" Govender described the occasion as the planting of a legacy intended to benefit generations to come.
The project has secured broad support across sectors as it shifts into its active planning phase. Councillor Mpume Sithole and Thokozani Magagula expressed commitments to engage their respective institutions on infrastructure and long-term operational sustainability. Dr Rajendran Govender has undertaken to engage multinational and international agencies to attract expertise, skills, and resources.
The Bob Moodley Foundation is also set to contribute resources and intellectual support to the project. SCARA is issuing an open call to skilled professionals across Shallcross and neighboring areas to join the development. The initiative builds on SCARA's presence in Shallcross since 1966, with a long-term strategy targeting 2035 to inspire similar community-led models across eThekwini and KwaZulu-Natal.
Govender emphasized that the community faces many challenges, but standing still is not an option. The Centre is not merely a modern building; it is a bold commitment to the social, economic, and civic advancement of the people. The project's emphasis is on unity and social cohesion, reflecting the involvement of spiritual leaders from local mosques, temples, and churches.
The SCARA Centre of Excellence is expected to have a significant impact on the community, providing 21st-century tech skills, entrepreneurial incubation, and accredited training for future local government councillors. The centre's development is being led by an all-women project team, drawing on local engineers, contractors, and financial professionals.
Key points
- The project aims to deliver 21st-century tech skills and governance training to the community.
- The centre is expected to open within 40 months and will serve Shallcross and surrounding communities.
- The project was initiated by community members who contributed R1,000 each, raising R150,000 in seed money.
