Masiphumelele crèche founder Aurelia Kaitesi fears her dream may be ruined by a board of trustees she appointed, after she was allegedly threatened with removal by some members of the trust.
Love and Care Day Care Centre began as a crèche in the township's Roman Catholic Church and Kaitesi received a R1 million donation in 2013 to help the more than 90 children in her care.
Kaitesi said she approached the church and individuals to serve on a oversight committee, as she worked towards purchasing land and constructing a building.
“Those people I believed were trustworthy and would ensure all was done correctly, but I didn't even know about a trust or how these things work.
"Soon they took control, made decisions without me and constructed this building, which I continuously reported was not up to standard.”
She claims ward councillor Felicity Purchase, who serves on the trust, had threatened to remove her from the crèche.
“They want to chase me away when I am the one who has been getting the donations for the children and I run the day-to-day operations.
"They have made advances to people, offering money, so that they can easily work me out.
"But this was my dream and I refuse to just go away.
She said she was heartbroken to hear of the lengths the trustees had gone to to discredit her and fears what will happen to her staff and the children they look after.
She has consulted a lawyer to ensure she is treated within her rights and a new committee to oversee the funds of the crèche because she will “fight to keep her crèche”.
Purchase confirmed she served on the trust. “The situation is complex, as we are only the landlords of the property, and we have been trying to work towards a suitable agreement in which Ms Kaitesi would agree to leave the crèche. This was her dream, but what happens so often is that the dream evolves beyond one's means.”
She said they were faced with issues of the records not being up to date and the facility not meeting the needs of the community. “The building is also not in a good condition and there are illegal occupants from who she receives rent, but she does not keep account of this.
"We want the centre to meet the standards of a early childhood development centre by next year, but for that she must not be involved,” said Purchase
She claims Kaitesi had refused engagement involving the current board of governance, but they would continue to seek talks in order to resolve the matter for the good of the children of Masiphumelele.