The dilapidated Dan Qeqe stadium is due for a R60 million major development following the approval of a new partnership between NMBM, Amandla NPO and the Development Bank of SA.
The new partnership was approved during a Council meeting on Thursday, following a proposal from the external entities to develop a Development Precinct at the historic stadium in Zwide.
The Dan Qeqe stadium is a sport facility which was historically developed under the erstwhile Ibhayi Council by the late Dan Qeqe and Kwaru Trust members. Constant vandalism especially during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic left the facility in a poor state and the Metro recently started a process to rehabilitate the stadium.
NMBM Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Portfolio Head, Cllr Bassie Kamana said the new partnership offers NMBM with a unique opportunity for a partnership that will contribute to infrastructure development, economic development, impactful youth development and future skills programmes that show short term tangible results and long term systematic positive impact in the Zwide community and surrounding areas without a financial contribution.
“The approved partnership will see an investment of more than R60million invested in the precinct. The proposed infrastructure will comprise of an artificial turf multi- purpose sport field with flood lights, a 600 square metre multi-purpose youth centre building and an anchor ILED facility which will be determined upon market research. The duration of the construction of the infrastructure is estimated to be nine months.”
“We are looking forward to the employment opportunities, people development, economic development, social and local development that will come with the implementation of this project. The capital and operational funding of the development of the precinct will be carried by the DBSA and Amandla at no cost to NMBM. The funding will cover all day-to-day costs including the maintenance of the property and operations of the precinct programmes,” the MMC said.
Dan and Rose Qeqe Foundation CEO, Sinazo Vabaza Tundube said the foundation was grateful and appreciative of the efforts made to restore and upgrade the stadium.
“This stadium is not only a place of sport and recreation but it is a symbol of our struggle, non-racialism, inclusiveness and social justice. It was built for the community of Port Elizabeth in the 1970’s under the leadership of the late Dan Qeqe who was a prominent sport administrator and activist. We hope that the Dan Qeqe stadium development will not only enhance the quality of life and social cohesion of our community but also attract visitors and investment in our areas. We look forward to seeing the completion and reopening of the stadium,” she said.
The stadium is currently designed for the use of rugby, cricket and tennis sporting codes.
NMB Communications
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