1993

Six inner city churches joined hands to form an ecumenical trust for social development in the inner city. Initially named Pretoria Ecumenical Welfare Services (PEWS) Charitable Trust, this name was soon changed to the Pretoria Community Ministries Charitable Trust. The operations were always known as Pretoria Community Ministries (PCM).

1993

The Potter’s House was created as the first non-racial shelter for women in crisis in the metropolitan area.

1993

We take over the management of Litakoemi, a residential facility with 31 rooms and communal amenities. This becomes the pilot project and learning environment fo what would eventually become our own social housing company.

1995

We had our first attempt at a street festival and called it the Feast of the Clowns. The first attempt was such that we waited from 1995 until 2000 to have the next Feast and since it has become an annual and growing event, now running for a whole week.

1995

The need for specialized contextual training in urban ministry was identified and the Institute for Urban Ministry (IUM) was created to address this gap. In partnership with UNISA and later also the University of Pretoria and other institutions, IUM developed a range of formal and informal training and education opportunities for urban ministry and theology.

1996

The Street Ministry was launched to be more intentional and structured in our response to adult homelessness in the inner city. We created a Street Centre to provide specific basic services and linkages between homeless individuals and opportunities to be re-integrated into the community. In 2005 the name of the Street Ministry changed to Akanani.

1997

We took over the management of Hofmeyr House, a property of the YMCA, and worked closely with the tenants to stabilize the rental income, pay off the municipal and other debt, and create a healthy living environment once again.

1997

The Christian Lawyers Association opened its weekly Legal Advice Clinic at the PCM offices.

1997

We started the Christmas in the Park celebrations in order to create a space for the homeless, the lonely and those who do not have family and friends in the city.

1997

Seeing housing decay in the city centre, PCM created Yeast City Housing, the first social housing company in Tshwane, to offer affordable and decent accommodation with a focus on community building in the inner city.

1998

The church building in the Salvokop neighbourhood was bought to be converted into a multi-purpose community centre, which is now known as the Inkululeko Community Centre.

1998

To be able to respond to the reality of increased child prostitution, PCM opened Lerato House for teenage girls in 1998.

1998

Marabastad

1999

Tshepo Community Economic Development was formed to create employment and to develop business ideas focusing on local ownership.

2000

The unique inner city festival, Feast of the Clowns, was started to create a space for celebration and social justice in the city centre.

2000

A group of former PCM volunteers registered as a formal association in Germany called the Friends of PCM in order to stay connected to the organization through prayer, regular communication and other kinds of support.

2000

The Inkululeko Day Care Centre opened as part of the Inkululeko Community Centre as a response to the neighbourhood need for quality child care.

2001

The Consortium for Urban Transformation was initiated to drive urban regeneration that is socially inclusive.

2002

In 2002 Yeast City Housing received the award as Housing Developer of the Year from the Institute for Housing (Gauteng), for its pioneering role in the provision of transitional institutional and special needs housing, and social support for the inner city poor of Pretoria.

2003

As one of the small businesses linked to Tshepo Community Economic Development, the Lesedi Laundromat was opened.

2003

The Jubilee Centre was built to address the need for additional office and social housing space, which developed due to the immense growth of the organisation.

2003

Yeast City Housing developed additional social housing units through Living Stones (in partnership with the Methodist City Mission), Sediba House (in partnership with Pretoria Evangelism and Nurture) and Kopanong.

2003

The Tshwane Leadership Foundation (TLF) was created as an umbrella body to strengthen our unfolding movement.

2003

The Sediba Hope AIDS Care Programme was a response to arising need for HIV & AIDS care in the inner city of Pretoria. It was started as a multi-organisational partnership of churches and organisations.

2005

Rivoningo Care Centre, our hospice, opened its doors in 2005 to 20 terminally ill homeless people.

2005

Realising the healing impact of arts and the lack of access to it for marginalised communities, the School of Creative Arts was started in 2005.

2005

The Kiosk in Burgers Park was opened as another small business of Tshepo Community Economic Development.

2007

Through the Lerato House outreach it became apparent that there was a strong need for similar services to young girls in the Cullinan community. As a result a Drop-In Centre was established in Refilwe Township in partnership with local stakeholders.

2007

The Vana Va Hina children’s programme was launched to focus on child participation and children’s rights.

2007

Yeast City Housing was able to purchase an old budget hotel. This run-down and formerly exploitative establishment is being revamped into a multi-purpose facility, the Tau Village.

2008

In partnership with the Roses for Children Foundation in the Netherlands, the Monument of the Unknown Child was launched. It raises awareness on children’s issues and reminds of all the innocent children who died too young.

2008

Imagine is the media leg of the organisation, which was created for the promotion of inclusive urban communities through media.

2009

Tswelelang is a foster home for young girls, which was opened as a leg of Lerato House in order to create a home for children who cannot be reunited with their families.