May 30, 2006

By Sipho None and Moruakgomo Masibi

MORE than R11-million is to be spent on repairing and revamping vandalised sport complexes throughout Mogale City.

These plans were announced after the municipality's senior officials had spent a week explaining the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) to communities of Mogale City.

The IDP is the municipality's principal strategic instrument that guides all planning, management, investment, development and implementation decisions, taking into account input from all stakeholders.

Shirley Mathebula, the director of community services, said the renovations were in line with the provincial sport, recreation, arts and culture department's programme to get communities involved in sport.

"The renovations of facilities are in line with the provincial programme of mass participation in sport. So this programme encourages everybody in our communities to take part in all sporting activities.

"We also want to inform our people involved in sport that the provincial department will deploy a contingent of sport officials to all the facilities. We encourage everybody in our communities to participate," Mathebula said.

Nomalanga Ntamane, the councillor in charge of the sport, recreation and libraries portfolio, said the plan would be undertaken by her portfolio and the community service directorate.

The developments entail the revamping and refurbishment of vandalised sport complexes with the view to upgrade certain amenities. Some of these facilities have are run down and are being used as "drug hubs".

Ntamane says she has an uncompromising attitude towards vandalism. After municipal employees caught a group of thieves trying to steal a rugby pole last year, Ntamane warned: "Despite the good endeavours that the municipality and the private sector are involving themselves in, we need to send a very strong message to the users of sport complex to look after these facilities. We are not going to tolerate vandals wrecking havoc on public amenities and doing as they please."

However, Ntamane said she was confident that the residents of Mogale City would take care of the newly refurbished sport complexes and would take part in the upcoming sport programmes.

"This is taxpayers' money and we need to use it for what it is intended for. I am confident the users of our sport complexes as well as the residents will look after these facilities. I feel happy about the renovations in our complexes. This shows our government and the private sector are working towards moving our youth off the streets and in the right direction," she said.

The R11,4-million will be spent on improving and installing concrete palisade fencing, upgrading caretakers' houses, installing new lighting, and constructing and reconstructing ablution facilities.

What will be spent on Mogale City's sporting facilities:

• Azaadville sports complex: R1,2-million from the Gauteng department of sport, recreation, arts and culture.
• Rietvallei extension 2 and 3: R1,5-million from the Gauteng department of sport, recreation, arts and culture.
• Kagiso extension 13: R1,2-million from the Gauteng Gambling Board.
• Munsieville sports complex: R2,5-million from the department of public works and transport.
• Johanna Botha sports stadium: R5-million from Lefika and Mogale City municipality.

The Directorate of Community Services