Mbhashe LM levelling the playground in rural communities
Mbhashe Local Municipality responded to the call for a need to develop and invest in sport for rural communities by handing over a state-of-the-art sport facility in Willowvalle

Posted: 11 November 2024

The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC, Hon Sibulele Ngongo joined Mbhashe Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Samkelo Janda for the handover of the completed project on 08 November 2024.

This project saw the employment of 29 labourers for the overall project. Various communities will benefit from the construction of the field as it is fit to hold semi-professional games within the Mbhashe LM and the neighbouring local municipalities in the Amathole District Municipality.
Speaking at the handover, MEC Ngongo said "The importance of investing in sport in rural communities is that it plays a big role in addressing issues of crime as it keeps young people very busy and involved in self-development".

"As the District Development Model guides us, the other departments that are present here today must all make sure they have a role to play in this facility, we will need SAPS to ensure the safety of the facility and DRDAR must guide the municipality in taking care of it and advice on which plants can be used in its beautification", added MEC Ngongo.

The Executive Mayor, Cllr Samkelo Janda, said "DSRAC must intensify sport activities to help curb crime in communities as we have young people that are deeply involved in criminal activities" He also emphasized on the need for the sports council to remain committed in enhancing sport within Mbhashe Local Municipality as sport has managed to bring communities together. "Communities must all participate in the IDP process as this was one of the priorities highlighted by members of the community, the municipality has a responsibility to deliver the needs by each and every community," said Cllr Janda.

The facility will house various sporting codes, namely netball, volleyball, basketball, football, rugby, cricket and athletics.

The scope of work included: Earthworks for the sports field; Grassing of sports field and soft ball field; The construction of the athletics track layer works; The refurbishment of the main grandstand; The refurbishment of the ticket office and guard house at the main entrance; The construction of stormwater drainage reticulation with associated infrastructure; The refurbishment of the existing fence, gates and installation of a 1.5 high pedestrian fence with gate along the outer perimeter of athletics track; The electrification of buildings and associated facilities; The construction of the VIP parking area; The construction of two combi-courts; The construction of water, sewer reticulation services with associated infrastructure; The installation of an irrigation system with Jojo tanks and Pump.

.