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Access to make way for MBDA at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

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The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and Precinct will be managed by the Mandela Bay Development Agency as from 1 January 2017.

Mayoral Committee members voted on 25 October 2016 to relieve Access Management of their month to month contract to manage the stadium and chose to task the MBDA with the mandate to manage the stadium and precinct. The stadium area of responsibility includes land surrounding the stadium and the North End Lake.

Saying; “There is no perfect solution to the stadium management contract,” MBDA CEO, Pierre Voges presented three “better answer” alternatives to the Mayoral Committee:

  1. Stadium and Precinct managed by MBDA
  2. Stadium and Precinct to be managed by the Municipal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
  3. Stadium to be managed by an appointed operator and the precinct (land surrounding the stadium and North End Lake) to be managed by MBDA

Previously, 5 companies had submitted bids for the position of stadium operator and only one met all the bid criteria.

In selecting which of the three scenarios to commit the city to, Budget and Treasury Councillor, Retief Odendaal said; “We are in a tight space with regards to management of the Stadium.” Executive Mayor Athol Trollip opinioned that; “The precinct development has been underwhelming.”

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium requires R60 Million annually to stay afloat – R12 Million of which went to Access Management as a management fee.

“Access Management, in comparison to the MBDA, has a very relaxed approach to Supply Management,” reported Voges to which Trollip replied; “Public Money cannot be spent in an environment that is relaxed!”

The decision to hand over management to the MBDA is subject to approval by the full council today and is unlikely to change as the DA-led coalition holds the majority of seats in council.

Many of the 72 people presently employed by Access Management will keep their jobs in 2017 but major changes in management are expected as new skills are needed to manage the stadium and precinct whilst managers with specific skills in Municipal Supply Chain management will have to be found. The MBDA, with only 35 employees at present is now like David taking over Goliath.

Indications are that a suitably heavyweight and experienced MD for the Stadium and Precinct has been identified – time will tell if this person will return to Port Elizabeth and accept the reins.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.