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The plug has been pulled at Bright Lights Somerset West, a care centre for at-risk youths which officially closed its doors on Sunday 31 March.
What were once brightly coloured walls outside the building has been repainted a dull and bland black, which also symbolises the end of the happy days at the premises.
Raymond Meyer, chairperson of the Bright Lights Board, said the NPO has been an operational child and youth care centre (CYCC) and drop-in centre (DIC) facility for many years. The organisation is largely dependent on government funding to operate and render services.
“Bright Lights CYCC has unfortunately not been immune to the hardships that haunt the social development sector in terms of cuts in funding,” he said.
“We sadly face the grim reality that the depressed economy has resulted in Bright Lights receiving fewer and fewer donations, which once assisted with the ability to remain operational. This has resulted in us no longer being able to run the Bright Lights CYCC.
“We unfortunately do not have the funds to cover our overhead [costs], despite having tried our best over the past two years.”
Meyer added that the Bright Lights board took difficult decision to close the Bright Lights CYCC.
“The children once residing in the CYCC have found alternative placement at Department of Social Development CYCCs in the Helderberg region,” he confirmed.
The Somerset West DIC facility, previously known as the Bright Lights DIC, situated in Somerset West is still fully operational, rendering prevention and early intervention services to over 80 children and their family members in the Helderberg – from Macassar to Sir Lowry’s Pass.
“The board wishes to thank its management team and staff members for their dedication, diligence and hard work over the past two years,” said Meyer. “The board wishes them well in their future endeavours. Bright Lights CYCC is very grateful to have had the opportunity to play a part in the inspiring work that was done with the children who resided at the facility.
“I speak on behalf of all the board members and management team, in expressing how hard this decision was for us to make.”
Meyer also confirmed that the building belongs to the City of Cape Town.
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette reported on allegations of mismanagement at the facility in 2022 (“Bright Lights dim”, 29 June 2022). When asked about the allegations, Meyer said: “I can assure you that is in the past.”
A volunteer who spent several years working at Bright Lights is heartbroken at the centre’s closure, further expressing her concern on the fate of the children cared for at the premises.
“I am so heartsore. When I passed the premises and saw there’s nothing left, my heart sank. The building is now completely empty. I can’t believe this has happened,” the volunteer said.
City officials are assessing by the City whether the building will be required for operational use by any municipal department in future.
