beaufort west
the region
Beaufort West is in the heart of the Karoo, a semi-arid region 500km north-east of Cape Town. The town is situated on the N1 (national road), approximately halfway between Cape Town and Johannesburg.
poverty levels
There are 2 major townships in Beaufort West: Rustdene and Mandlenkosi, the former inhabited mainly by "coloured" and the latter mainly by "black" population groups (as identified under apartheid). In both townships and smaller surrounding low socio-economic areas, unemployment is high (ranging between 30 and 60%). Women and children bear the brunt of the poverty burden with children begging on the streets of Beaufort West and women forced into prostitution being common. Skills development opportunities are very limited.
history of work in the region
PASCaP initiated a Department of Social Services Poverty Relief-supported programme in May 2001. The programme comprised an After School Development Practitioner Learning Programme followed by a Mentorship period. The Practitioner programme was concluded in October 2001, with 40 graduates, 28 of which entered the Mentorship phase.
Since 2001 PASCaP was unable to secure funding to continue work in the region and many of the emerging after school projects were unable to continue. When funding was eventually obtained in 2004, only 1 after school project remained. However, this project will be a model for perseverance, success and hard work for other similar initiatives in Beaufort West. It is helping to address the serious child and youth protection gap in this busy rural town, and it is hoped that it will pave the way for others to follow.
current work: after school care centre support
PASCaP is currently engaged in a support project to develop the existing Kraaines After School Project and to facilitate the development of another centre in Kwa-Mandlenkosi, a historically marginalised, low income community in Beaufort West. The After School Care Centre Support Project will provide mentorship training, practical support, learning materials and educational equipment.
To read more about the Kraaines After School Project, please go to BEAUFORT WEST: EMERGING PROJECTS: SUCCESS STORIES.