On Friday, 30 May, the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), accompanied by portfolio councilors from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, officially opened a brand new sports facility in Zondi Street, New Brighton. The new sport facility, built in what was previously an unofficial waste dumping site, and a no go area for the community due to muggings and robberies, was today celebrated by over three hundred community members who came to witness the occasion.
The sports field project was initiated and followed up by local ward councilor, RN Captain. Speaking at opening, Captain said; “Today marks a culmination of many months of hard work, consultations, sweat and tears. We have witnessed how active community involvement can cause change for the development of our communities. This facility belongs to the community, you protect and look after it for generations to come.”
The sports facility project, initially identified and earmarked as an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) project of the NMBM, was officially handed over to the MBDA in 2013 due to budgetary constraints within the NMBM.
MBDA Chief Executive, Dr Pierre Voges earlier said; “The project also offered the MBDA the opportunity to further empower the community, youth and women entrepreneurs. Ma-Africa Construction, the company appointed to develop the facility is now a CIDB four grading, a 100% women owned and managed construction business. We are happy with the outcome. The community can take pride in this facility, developed by one of their own”.
Before the site turned into an illegal waste dumping spot, it used to be the play round for one of Port Elizabeth’s oldest soccer teams, Stinging Bees. The club, it’s original squad, many in their 50’s took to the pitch today, facing off old rival Roaring Tigers in a seven aside friendly.
“We were quite nervous when the idea to have the old team play a symbolic match during the opening, to have senior citizens back on the field after so many years off the pitch could pose serious risks. We decided to do it anyway, the match presented an opportunity not to be missed, old rivalries going back more that 20 years. The logistics team made sure we had enough emergency medics, ambulance and first aid on stand by,” added MBDA Spokes person, Luvuyo Bangazi.
The facility will now be operated by the department of sports and recreation of the NMBM, and will be available for development purposes by the schools in the area. The facility includes a new pitch, irrigations system, brand new change rooms and ablution facilities, fencing and some landscaping.
Councilor R.N. Captain and Sports Portfolio councilor N. Magopeni officiating
Alan Straton
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