Residents of embattled Eldorado Park drive grassroots efforts to defy grim reality and reignite hope

Far left confiscated pocket knife from one of the Eldorado Schools. Far-right Members of the Eldorado Park School Safety Crisis Intervention visible in and around schools to combat violent incidents in schools(Photos supplied)

By Michelle Banda

7 Oct 2024

Despite its reputation for crime and poverty, Johannesburg’s Eldorado Park is home to inspiring individuals and grassroots initiatives making a difference. From feeding schemes to school safety programmes, these community efforts are striving to bring hope and positive change.

Eldorado Park, which residents say was once a close-knit, joyful community, has faced growing challenges in recent years, from unemployment and gangsterism, to drug-related violence.

While the Johannesburg area is often compared to the Cape Flats in Cape Town, owing to its crime levels, many residents believe there is still hope. Grassroots initiatives are bringing positive change, feeding the hungry, supporting young people and tackling community issues head-on. Eldorado Park’s story is not only one of struggle, but also one of resilience and determination.

Arthur Wilson Secretary Project Steering Committee Eldorado Park Extension 1,the dilapidated government owned Eldorado Park Block Flats are renowned for high levels of crime. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)

As one long-time resident reflected: “There was not always this much gangsterism or drug access. While things have drastically changed since 2015, there is still hope for a better future. We realise no one is coming to save us; we have to be the change we want to see.”

Community transformation

Arthur Wilson, secretary of the Eldorado Park Extension 1 Project Steering Committee, speaks to the heart of this transformation. He said the committee was born out of the dire social issues plaguing the greater community.

“It became personal because we wake up every day to gun violence, drugs and unemployment. As young men, born and bred in this community, we could not sit by and do nothing, so we formed the Project Steering Committee to coordinate positive change,” Wilson said.

Read more: Cleaning up and restoring pride in Eldorado Park, but structural change still needed

The committee’s efforts include feeding schemes, school excursions and focus groups to address community challenges. Wilson proudly highlights their collaboration with Wits University, which has taken 30 Grade 11 and 12 pupils on excursions, exposing them to life beyond Eldorado Park and offering an alternative to the gangsterism and poverty that surrounds them.

Read more: Dilapidated state of Eldorado Park flats belies Gauteng government’s maintenance claims

He said his frustration stems from how the government has continued to neglect the people of Eldorado Park.

“[The Department of] Housing, SAPS and the Department of Health have failed us. You can call for an ambulance, and they will arrive two hours later – if they come at all. When we report crime, the police tell us straight they are afraid to come into the community. Basic needs like bread have become privileges,” he said.

Sharlene’s Heart for People

One of the most impactful grassroots efforts comes from Sharlene Abels, founder of Sharlene’s Heart for People (SHFP), a nonprofit organisation that has fed hundreds in Eldorado Park and neighbouring communities including Slovo Park and Freedom Park.

Launched in 2021, the initiative began with a dream Abels had, in which she said God called her to serve the less fortunate in an informal settlement in Kliptown, Soweto.

“It all started with a dream two years ago. Yes, you heard right, I dreamt that God said to me that I should go to Kliptown Squatter Camp and go and distribute clothing.

Sharlene Abels, a mother of three born and bred in Eldorado Park founder of Sharlene’s Heart for People (SHFP)non-profit organization.

“For a minute, I couldn’t understand my dream and where God was directing me. I decided to ask friends and family for pre-loved clothing, which I received, and decided on the 27th of November 2021 I was heading there and doing this. Little did I know a huge disaster awaited. [There were] so many recipients yet not enough to give.

“I remember a little boy walking up to me and saying, ‘Aunty, please can I have shoes?’ When I looked at the condition of the shoes he wore and realised we did not have any left I had to turn my face away. I looked up and asked him what size he wore and he whispered ‘size four’. At that time I was hoping he was a six as I was willing to give him my pair of shoes. But I had none left to give.

“I went home that day and vowed to return, and thanks to social media, donations flooded in. When I went back, we didn’t just bring clothes – we brought toys, food, and hope.”

Abels said that what started as a single act of kindness has grown into a feeding scheme that now provides meals for up to 200 people daily in Eldorado Park and neighbouring areas.

“We used to feed twice a day, but due to limited resources we can only offer one meal in the afternoon now. Even though donations are scarce, I can’t turn people away. Some days, the meal we provide is the only food they will eat,” she said.

Sharlene Abels and her colleague dish up rice for their daily feeding scheme that provides a lifeline for about 200 people from Eldorado Park and neighboring communities

Despite the difficulties in securing donations to expand the feeding scheme, Abels remains optimistic.

“There is no salary in this, no rewards – just the joy of knowing that we are making a difference. The gratitude from the kids, the ‘Thank you, Aunty’ – those are the real rewards.”

In 2022 and 2023, Abels was nominated for the Woman of Purpose Award in Eldos for her outstanding contributions to the community.

School safety crisis intervention

Another significant initiative is the Eldorado Park School Safety Crisis Intervention, a programme aimed at addressing rising violence and safety concerns in local schools. According to the programme’s Chenelle George, it was born out of a collaboration between security companies, community stakeholders and concerned residents.

Far right confiscated pocket knife from one of the Eldorado Schools. Far left Members of the Eldorado Park School Safety Crisis Intervention visible in and around schools to combat violent incidents in schools(Photos supplied)

“With the rise in violence at schools, we realised that we needed to take action. We increased security presence around schools and identified potential risks like drug sales, learner misconduct and uncontrolled access points,” George said.

She said the programme focuses on creating a safer learning environment by addressing issues such as overcrowded scholar transport, drug distribution and the sale of cigarettes to minors. It also aims to enforce school by-laws and promote stricter implementation of school codes of conduct.

Isaac Sayed, another key figure in the initiative, highlighted their holistic approach. “We also focus on helping kids deal with their home lives, offering them support before they even get to school. We want to provide them with stability so they can succeed.” DM

Categories:

Tags:

DM is much better if you are signed in...

Maverick Citizen

Community transformation

Sharlene’s Heart for People

School safety crisis intervention