Project Gateway

In March 1990, one of the most violent episodes in KwaZulu-Natal's turbulent pre-democratic history unfolded to the west of Pietermaritzburg. What became known as the Seven Day War — a confrontation between UDF and Inkatha supporters rooted in complex political conflict — left an estimated 200 people dead and over 20,000 displaced, sheltering in tented camps in the area of Foxhill. Children were without schools. Families had lost everything.

Three men — Piet Dreyer, Brian Andrews, and Ernest Zikali, pastors separated by the racial divisions of apartheid but united in a shared vision to serve the poorest of the poor — responded. A feeding scheme was launched. A clothing distribution centre was opened. And informally, Project Gateway was born. More churches joined. A formal constitution was signed in 1992. By October that year, Project Gateway had moved into the Old Prison — an 1862 building on Burger Street in central Pietermaritzburg — and it has been there ever since.

Over three decades and 21 million meals later, Project Gateway operates as one of the Pietermaritzburg area's most established multi-church community development organisations, with formal governance through an interdenominational Executive Board, a UK charitable trust (PCF Gateway Trust), and a central management hub (CORE — Central Operational Resource and Executive) overseeing finance, HR, donor marketing, and public relations.

The Three Programme Pillars

Care — Immediate Needs Project Gateway's first priority has always been meeting immediate physical needs. This includes food (a feeding scheme that has delivered over 21 million meals), shelter assistance, and clothing distribution for Pietermaritzburg's most vulnerable residents. A social worker (Sindi, as named in recent community activity) identifies which communities and families most need food parcels and direct support — extending reach beyond the fixed site.

Education — Gateway Christian School and Training The Gateway Christian School provides education to children in the Pietermaritzburg area — particularly children from disadvantaged backgrounds who may struggle to access or remain in mainstream schooling. Training programmes equip adults with practical skills for employment and self-sufficiency.

Empowerment — Skills, Livelihood, and Enterprise The Empowerment programmes provide job skills, life skills, hard skills training in fashion design, sewing and pattern making, computer literacy, and business development. The explicit aim is to break the poverty cycle — providing people with tools to earn, build, and sustain themselves beyond the immediate crisis.

The Old Prison — History, Tourism, and Sustainability

Project Gateway operates from within and around the Pietermaritzburg Old Prison (built 1862) — a historically significant building that has housed some of South Africa's most prominent political prisoners. Tours of the facility (approximately R20) are available and generate income for the organisation. Conference venues on the grounds are available for hire, providing another income stream. A crafts programme sells goods made by community members. This commitment to sustainability — reducing dependence on charity through income-generating activities — reflects a mature and thoughtful organisational model.

Note for survivors: Project Gateway's primary mandate is broad community care, education, and empowerment rather than specialist GBV intervention. However, its social worker, community connections, feeding network, and care infrastructure make it a genuine resource for vulnerable people in PMB — and a strong referral point to specialist GBV services in the area. Survivors in PMB needing specialist support should also contact CCJD (Centre for Community Justice and Development) at 16 Dulwich Road, Scottsville, or Dlalanathi at 191 Burger Street.

Project Gateway: 4 Burger St, Pietermaritzburg. Phone: +27 (0)33 845 0400. Email: enquiries@projectgateway.co.za. Facebook: ProjectGatewayKZN.