Xilembeni is situated in Bapsfontein and was established in 2017. It was funded by Department of Social Development with the aim to alleviate poverty and upskill the beneficiary with the technical skills.
Xilembeni has 400 students and the courses offered by Xilembeni include Plumbing, Electrical Engineering, Welding and Building. The period of their training varies between 3 months and 6 months. The graduations take place twice a year and graduates are awarded with NQF level 3 to 4 certificates.
Xolani Vula a 29 year old from Bronkhospruit is one of beneficiaries at Xilembeni training Centre. Xolani got addicted to drugs in 2014 when he was doing grade 10 and suddenly dropped out of school and started to commit crimes such as house breaking. On 9th September 2020, he decided to go to rehabilitation for 6 weeks where work is done to ensure that recovering addicts maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle.
Xolani applied for half-way house to stay for another 12 months which will end on 2nd of December. Xolani is happy about the training that Xilembeni offered him, and so far he is doing community house building projects that includes bricklaying, tiling, painting, carpentry and glazing.
After the program he wants to be a successful person in the community and open his construction company and recruit people. Xolani is happy about department of Social Development's funding of Xilembeni Training Centre which assists student with training skills, transport, accommodation and food.
Xilembeni Training Centre also helps youth to use their time in the Training Centre to minimize the high level of drug abuse and crime in our community. One of the beneficiaries Lephiri Kanelo 21 years from Katlegong has opened her building primary co-operative and so far she is awaiting outcomes of 4 tenders which she applied for.