Alex Safe Hub, a haven for community growth, opened

FOLLOWING the recent launch of the Alexandra Safe Hub last month, the City of Joburg has announced the hub will be a haven for growth, opportunity, and an overall safety net in the community.

Located at 26 and 2nd avenues in Alexandra, the hub aims to significantly reduce crime and violence, improve educational results for its participants, as well as create a jobs pipeline for young people.

The project is a partnership between the city and the SA Football Association Development Agency (SDA).

In addition, through sports retailer Totalsports’ R8.5 million investment,

the SDA could build an artificial football field in Alex.

Totalsports has also committed a further R5.4m a year over the next five years, which will be used for training coaches, referees, and administrators.

The city donated the land on which the safe hub was built.

The hub is the fifth in the country, following the opening of two hubs in Cape Town, one in Jabulani and another in Diepsloot. The Totalsports Safe Hub in Alexandra marks the first implemented in partnership with the SDA.

Amandla Edu Football and the SDA have agreed to roll out 100 safe hubs by 2026 through a social franchise model supported by the national government and corporate institutions.

According to the hub’s head of facility manager Sithembile Nkosi, it will hire 13 young individuals for a year-long internship.

“Some kids are vocal and some are sports strong. So what we envision to do here is not only create a space for kids who achieve in sports but all kids, no matter what their strengths or weaknesses are.”

The Alex Safe Hub also has a 40-seater information technology and communication youth centre, which includes office space, training, eLearning facilities, a psychosocial support centre, shop units, computer counselling, workshop rooms, a café and bathroom/changing facilities.

The artificial football pitch is lined using both white paint and yellow paint. The white paint is for the normal weekend matches and the yellow painted lines are for the safe hub youth programmes for the six-a-side games that divide the pitch into a two small-sided football pitch.

“The safe hub is a football-based, after-school programme for youth development and is a space where young people have access to services, opportunities. It is intended to create a viable and attractive option for young people to get involved in football and a range of life skills programmes. The facility is 75% complete and we can’t wait to get started.”