MOD Recreation Centres

MOD Recreation Centres do not offer sport activities. They began as a pilot project initiated by DCAS, in partnership with the District South School Sport Organisation (DSSSO) and District Central School Sport Organisation (DCSSO).

The pilot project was called Valisikhewu -Filling the Gap. It was designed to extend the school day, provide learners with opportunities to become engaged and productive after school hours, away from the social ills that plague their communities.

The pilot phase was started in November 2010 with four schools participating:

·         Hillwood Primary School (Lavender Hill);

·         Fairmount High School (Grassy Park);

·         Sentinel Primary School (Hout Bay); and

·         Hout Bay High School.

In February 2011, Lavender Hill High School was added to this list to ensure that participants in Lavender Hill could continue with the programme as they moved to high school. The pilot phase was successful. A highlight of the pilot was “Freedom”, a musical produced by participating learners and performed at the Artscape Theatre Complex. DCAS incorporated the programme into the Directorate: Sports Development in April 2011.

Four new Recreation Centres were opened in the 2011/2012 year:

·         Isiphiwo Primary School and Kwamfundo High School (Khayelitsha); and

·         Kairos Primary School and Leiden High School (Delft)

Once this had been done, DCAS had established a MOD Centre in each of the four education districts of the Cape Metropole. The initiative has been endorsed by the Premier. DCAS hopes to open more MOD Recreation Centres in the future, possibly also in rural areas of the Western Cape. There is a need to link MOD Recreation Centres up with partners who have relevant expertise, e.g. expertise in music and dance.