Children enjoy reading books in Cosmo City

Books stimulate children’s minds and keep them away from the evil deeds of society.

This is the opinion of Muzi Nkosi who started a community library in Cosmo City in the hope of developing a culture of reading among children.

Children enjoy reading books in Cosmo City

Books stimulate children’s minds and keep them away from the evil deeds of society.

This is the opinion of Muzi Nkosi who started a community library in Cosmo City in the hope of developing a culture of reading among children.

About 90 children from low-income households flock to Cosmo City Kids’ Haven every weekday after school to read and borrow books. The Kids’ Haven is not just a library but also a recreational centre which keeps children busy after school hours.

Nkosi received an overwhelming response since Randburg Sun initially published his plea for assistance.

People in the greater Johannesburg area continue to donate books and one donor recently donated a container which is currently used to store items required for the centre.

The 702 Truck of Love made a stop at his centre last year in November and donated tables, food, children’s books and other valuable items. Although another two containers have not been delivered yet, children read books in a donated Wendy house.

All the children who play and read books at this centre will start to receive a meal from February.

“We will also be cooking to help these children,” Nkosi said.

He appealed to residents to continue donating books and help him achieve his goal of developing avid readers.

“Some of the people continue to donate books. Sometimes I struggle with transport in order to collect those books.”

He said the area was keeping the children safe while simultaneously helping them acquire knowledge while they were still young.

“Imagine if these children were playing out on the streets. They could have been probably exposed to dangerous activities.”

Details: Muzi Nkosi 084 238 8410.

COSMO CITY - Gift spree for Cosmo City residents

COSMO CITY – Scores of residents from Cosmo City benefited from Cosmo Mall’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative.

The winner of the car is Pamela Sedibe

Scores of residents from Cosmo City benefited from Cosmo Mall’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative held late last year.

Some of the fortunate shoppers who entered the spend-and-win competition at the time were recently announced.

The mall partnered with one of their anchor tenants including Roots Butchery and local South African National Civic Organisation to ensure residents enjoyed a lunch and got their hands on numerous prizes.

“Both Cosmo Mall and Roots Butchery understands that not every member of our immediate community has the means to fully enjoy and celebrate the festive season. The lunch was hosted as a CSI initiative, as Cosmo Mall believes in giving back to the community in which we serve,” said communications and marketing officer for the mall, Ayanda Mauka.

Pensioners enjoyed performances from members of the Cosmo City community, while orphans enjoyed a fun day in the sun on the inflatable rides erected in the parking area of the mall.

Pensioners also received food hampers while the orphans received clothing and toys from various shops at the centre.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out and contributed to the success of our Cosmo Mall Christmas lunch.”

The winners of the competition were Nelson Moyo who won a cash prize of R10 000, Andrea Ndebele who won R5 000, followed by Patricia Njiva who walked away with R3 000.

Pamela Sedibe who entered the win-a-car competition, sponsored by Roots Butchery situated in the mall, was also announced as the winner.

Cosmo Mall marketing manager, Ayanda Mauka; Patricia Njiva; and Legit store manager, Mpho Diale. Njiva won a cash prize of R3 000 from Legit.

Cosmo Mall Centre manager, Frank Sebetola; Andrea Ndebele, who won R5 000; and Sheet Street store manager, Eddy Mokone

Cosmo Mall Centre manager, Frank Sebetola; Nelson Moyo, who won R10 000 after buying at Roots Butchery, Cosmo Mall; and butchery owner, Marcelo De Freitas. 

Butchery owner Marcelo De Freitas with the vehicle winner Pamela Sedibe.

Cosmo City - Rubble trouble in the city

JOBURG – Let’s face it, illegal dumping is a nuisance and an eyesore. I have never really understood why people feel the need to dump their rubble where they want.

The dump on William Nicol Drive only accepts garden refuse and recyclables, while the Woodmead Pikitup site only accepts a small amount of rubble. The Pikitup website directed us to a rubble site in Cosmo City, however, it seemed to be closed. Pikitup website directed us to a rubble site in Cosmo City, however, it seemed to be closed.

In the end, we called a rubble removal company who charged us R900 to collect and remove everything. Now, R900 is a lot of money and not something we could really afford, but we seemed out of options.
Read Man buried in rubble during accident
There are rubble sites in Joburg, but to trek across town eight times with bakkie loads of rubble would most probably have taken a full day or two, never mind the petrol.

While I do not condone illegal dumping in any way, I do finally understand why it occurs.

The City of Joburg has made it pretty hard for people who want to do the right thing. It’s much easier to dump on the side of the road than it is to find an open dump site that will accept your building rubble.
Let me make it clear … I am in no way condoning illegal dumping. It is not the solution by any means. What I am, however, trying to say is, I finally get it.

I understand the frustration individuals experience in trying to do the right thing. If there were more sites, or they were easier to find and access, we would probably reduce the amount of unsightly rubble that lies on the side of our roads and on vacant land.

Cosmo City - Safety first for everyone

The MEC calls for the community to come together in fiding solutions in putting their safety first.

Cosmo City residents will arrange an Assembly of street Committees and block committees on 14th January 2017.

This comes after the MEC for Gauteng Department of Community Safety called for rehabilitated vigour in community intelligence in order to confidently win the fight against crime in Gauteng. The call came after an outbreak of reported hijacking incidents which resulted in a two year old child fatally shot in a hijacked drama in Centurion recently. “Whilst I commend the dedication and hard work of the men and women in blue who are working tirelessly around the clock and have thus far made concrete leads, community intelligence remains key.

Some community members may have seen these perpetrators committing their hideous crimes, but remain silent. In the event they fear for their safety, they can opt for anonymous tip off. Reporting is the only missing ingredient to guarantee safety for all our people, to live, do business and walk the streets freely without fear” said MEC Nkosi-Malobane.

The assembly aims to do a thorough introspection of the work currently undertaken and to find new and innovative ways to improve the safety of all residents through strengthening their community intelligence.

COSMO CITY – Beneficiaries of a UNT skills training programme will soon be able to start their own businesses and find work at reputable companies.

Improving skills and changing lives

Magret Jonasi, Paise Mabanohla, Anolia Lusunzi, Aubrey Moloto, Nobukhosi Dube and Moness Stoles during the training.






Thabitha Sithole is adamant that the six weeks beauty therapy training programme she is doing, will equip her to start her own business.

“After completing this course I will be ready to open my own beauty salon,” she said.

Sithole is one of 20 young women from Cosmo City who received training during a six-week beauty programme. The training was provided by Unemployed Need Transformation (UNT), a school accredited to teach beauty and Afro hairdressing.

This school provides life skills, technical and business training to enable unemployed youth to enter high growth industries that are labour intensive that will provide them with sustainable business opportunities.

These industries include agriculture, alternative energy, beauty, ethnic hair and security.

The participants receive training in skills such as doing manicures and pedicures, applying acrylic nails, gel nails, artificial single eyelashes, braiding and hair extensions. On completion of the training, all successful students will receive an accredited certificate.

The programme facilitator said most people who aspired to venture into beauty therapy did not know where to start. “Most schools that provide this training are very expensive and unemployed people cannot afford it,” she said.

Shaun Unterslak, principal of UNT said his objective was to help people in poor communities throughout Gauteng. “The programme helps beneficiaries in such a way that they can start earning money immediately after completing it,” he said.

A South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) youth coordinator in the area, Aubrey Moloto, endorsed the programme.

He said it would equip young people to create employment or find decent employment.

“It will give them experience, they will be self-empowered and [stand a better chance] to be hired by reputable companies,” he said.

Details: Unemployed Need Transformation, 072 517 8937.