Building skills, restoring spaces and empowering Bloemhof community
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15-04-2026
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The Content Engine
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By partnering with Tjeka Training Matters, Roadmac Surfacing is already delivering tangible benefits through its Bloemhof road surfacing project – positively impacting a poorer community within its operational footprint.
By directly involving local residents in the upgrade of a community centre, the project has also fostered a strong sense of ownership. This, while equipping them with the knowledge to maintain and care for the facility once it has been fully refurbished by the municipality.
In addition, the 12 community members who were recruited to the programme have learnt a range of critical skills, including plumbing, carpentry, and glazing. Tjeka also provided training in painting. While painting is not classified as a scarce or critical skill and the trade includes a high number of informal workers – the industry continues to face a notable shortage of adequately trained painters.
Coenraad Basson, Site Agent at Roadmac Surfacing, says he worked closely with Frans Toua, Tjeka’s Chief Executive Officer, as well as the community to ensure a long-lasting impact.
“Raubex Group has built a strong, enduring partnership with Tjeka over many years,” he says. “This specialist construction training company understands our skills training and development needs and consistently delivers through clear, open communication directly with Frans,” Basson says.
He further commends the company’s innovative approach to training, particularly its use of practical 3D models that bring theory to life. For example, plumbing systems are laid out using actual pipework and fittings mounted on boards, allowing learners to see exactly how components connect and function. This hands-on visual approach connects concept and application – enabling learners to fully understand what they are expected to do, while building confidence and improving real-world performance.
The community hall overhaul provided a sound training ground where theoretical knowledge could be applied in practice. Community members were able to put their newly acquired skills to use in a real-world environment, delivering a comprehensive programme of maintenance and repairs to the facility.
In carpentry, they repaired stage planks, installed skirting quadrants, hung new doors, replaced door locks, and repaired damaged external eaves. “The eaves repairs were particularly challenging due to the double-storey height, requiring specialised scaffolding to be brought in from Pretoria by Roadmac – highlighting the scale and technical demands of the work undertaken,” Basson says.
Their plumbing skills were applied through the replacement of broken wash-hand basins and toilets in the ablution facilities. In addition, glazing repairs were carried out, with broken glass panes replaced to restore safety and functionality. Painting work included repainting the hall interior, ablution facilities, doors, and stage floor planks, giving the space a renewed and refreshed appearance.
“This practical application reinforced the participants’ confidence, competence, and readiness to apply their skills in future work opportunities,” Basson says, adding that he was very impressed with overall workmanship of the community members. “This bears testament to the exceptionally high-quality training that they received from Tjeka,” he says.
Toua says that being part of a project that so clearly demonstrates the impact of skills development has been deeply rewarding. “When training is practical, inclusive, and rooted in real community needs, it uplifts people, restores dignity, and creates pathways to sustainable employment. That is exactly the kind of impact I am proud to be associated with,” he concludes.
For more information please contact:
David Poggiolini
Debbie Poggiolini
debbie@thecontentengine.co.za
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