 At At the heart of the Foundation’s social responsibility investments is the aim to contribute towards the social and economic well being of all communities. Infrastructure, or a lack thereof, can be directly linked to the provision of social services in rural communities. This in turn impacts on the social and economic well – being of a community. Realising the lack of infrastructure for effective policing and social development in rural areas and the impact that this has on the economic sustainability of communities, Transnet Foundation focussed its social responsibility investment here. 
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| Infrastructure for far-flung rural communities. |
The Containerised Assistance Programme of the Transnet Foundation is a creative solution to addressing the shortage of infrastructure and service delivery in rural communities. This Programme has been innovative in utilising old or damaged freight containers to be repaired and custom made to meet the social services and safety and security needs of rural communities.
Containers are erected within a short space of time, are mobile and very versatile hence securing a market niche in infrastructure development. On average, a total of five containers are used to put in place a containerised centre. The Foundation partners with the Transnet Freight Rail and Transnet Rail Engineering operating divisions for the conversion of containers, thereby using the vast resource base in Transnet to the benefit of social responsibility. During the construction of such infrastructure, all efforts are made to ensure that it does not have a negative impact on the environment, and that the end product is an attractive landmark in the community.
A variety of social services are rendered at the containerised multipurpose centres. These range from poverty alleviation projects, social grants access points, to HIV/AIDS support services. To ensure the sustainability of such centres, they are planned and implemented in partnership with Provincial Departments of Social Development. Centres are generally staffed by a Social Worker, a Development Worker as well as a security official. A range of professional services are thus introduced to communities where, because of a lack of infrastructure, none existed before. Access to such community support goes a long way towards creating a stable community environment.
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| Community stability brings about economic growth. |
The Containerised Programme also assists the South African Police Services (SAPS) with setting up containerised police stations to combat crime. The impact on safety, security and social development has been significant in the target areas. Crime is being much better managed in over forty communities throughout the country where such stations are in place.
The guiding principles of the Containerised Assistance Programme are:
- To contribute towards the economic growth of a community by providing much needed infra-structure resources.
- To ensure that the infra-structure addresses the safety and security needs of the target communities.
- To ensure compliance with safety, health and environmental policies of Transnet and the regulatory environment.
- Contribute to the Expanded Public Works Programme.
- To engage in strategic partnerships with Government for the co-planning of projects so as to leverage resources and ensure sustainability.
- To direct Transnet’s vast resource base to the benefit of community development thus ensuring Transnet’s footprint as a socially responsible company.
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| A model of infrastructure development that can be replicated. |
Three new containerised infrastructures planned for 2008
We will be building two satellite police stations, one in Kwa Zulu Natal near Dundee and one in Kagisho in the Northern Cape Province, utilising ten refurbished and customized containers. These areas have been identified by the SAPS as high crime areas with little or no infrastructure and facilities for policing needs.
In partnership with the Department of Social Development, we will be building a multi purpose centre utilizing eight refurbished containers at Nkomazi in Mpumalanga. The area lacks facilities, infrastructure and social development services, and the centre will also cater for poverty alleviation projects.
Existing containerised facilities
Perth Multi Purpose Centre in Kgalagadi, Northern Cape Province - seven containers were used for this centre. Perth is a cluster of villages accessible only by a rural gravel road. The community centre now offers social services and is a hub of activity and a resource base for this community.
Vhembe Satellite Police Station, Limpopo Province – five containers were used for this centre. The high level of crime in the area precipitated the need for an increased police presence.
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| Freight containers transformed into fully equipped office space. |
Driekop Satellite Police Station, Sekhukhune District – five containers were used. This station was constructed as part of the Foundation’s integrated development initiatives in the Sekhukhune District.
Tafelkop Multi Purpose Centre, Sekhukhune District – fifteen containers were used to construct a social services centre that incorporates a women’s shelter. Based on the success of the facility, a further eight containers were added by the Department of Social Development.
The Nkomazi-Mgobodi Multi Purpose Centre (MPCC)– This containerised multi purpose centre is located in Nkomazi in Mpumalanga. The centre delivers basic social servcies including counseling and grant applications and home based care for HIV and Aids sufferers. The centre was opened in May 2009 in a community that is seriously deprived of basic infrastructure.
The Galeshewe-Kagiso SAPS police station - The Transnet Foundation is making a significant impact in creating a conductive environment in which local economies can grow. We have extended the police station in Galeshewe with seven containers and the impact on crime is already visible. The service turnover from SAPS has markedly improved and based on the impact study the streets are becoming safer.
Matlerekeng Multi Purpose Centre – eight containers were used for the centre. This is a central community point for social services and poverty alleviation programmes of the district. A HIV/AIDS home based care programme is also based here. Further growth of the centre will see the implementation of an early Childhood Learning Centre added.
Moutse Satellite Station, Matlerekeng Village, Limpopo – five containers were used for this centre. The high level of crime in the area precipitated the need for an increased police presence.
Ga-rankuwa (ODI) Victim Empowerment Centre – three containers were used for the centre. The Centre is managed by the Department of Social Development working closely with the Department of Justice. Given its close proximity to the magisterial court, it is effective in providing the inter - criminal justice system programme. Trauma counselling is also offered at the centre.
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| Social services – a community gathering point. |
Bhambanana (Ingwavuma, KZN) Community Centre Flagship Programme – This centre was the pilot for the Transnet Containerised Assistance Programme. It was used as a case study by the Foundation to determine the efficiency of the programme and the impact that it has on target communities. It started as a social development centre for early childhood development programmes for children under five years of age. However, it has since grown to include a wide variety of poverty alleviation projects and an abattoir.
Based on the success of this programme, as well as the learning areas identified in the implementation, the Foundation developed the Containerised Assistance Programme model that has been replicated and improved into the success that it currently is.
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