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The proceedings were due to start at 12:00 in Pacaltsdorp, but the minister only flew into George Airport after 16:00. No reason for his late arrival was provided when he eventually opened the multi-coded facility in Ward 15, Thembalethu, with a second play park in New Dawn Park.
Mbalula told the crowd in Thembalethu that South Africa wants to see winners and not losers. "We want this facility to produce the future stars of our country that we can all be proud of." He added that government has delivered. "Here is the equipment we promised; use it and train hard, winners work hard to achieve excellence in sport." Mbalula recently caused a mini outcry when he labelled the South African soccer team, Bafana Bafana "a bunch of losers" after their 3-1 defeat in the African Nations Championship against Nigeria.
Ms Sumayya Khan, the chief operations officer in the national office of Sport and Recreation, said they look forward to working with the George committees in future. She acknowledged the George
Municipality for being one of the few municipalities who had their projects completed within the allocated timeframe.
The German Federal Republic has committed R100-million to finance a number of kick-about sport projects throughout South Africa. Two more facilities will be built in the George municipal area, one in Rosedale and the other in Uniondale. Sports Recreation South Africa will be responsible for the overall management and success of the kick-about projects.
Executive Mayor Charles Standers was pleased that George has the infrastructure required to deliver such a world-class facility to residents who need it most. "This will go some way to achieving council's vision of a regional sports complex for George." Kidron Kaboni, the project coordinator and sport official of the George Municipality, was overwhelmed at the interest of the community in the project and is confident that the George Municipality will honour all obligations and meet all targets.
Each facility will accommodate rugby, cricket, mini-cricket, netball, volleyball, basketball, tennis, table tennis etc. Play parks will be available within the facilities to accommodate toddlers and preschool children.
Councillor Charlie Williams, chief whip of the ANC, admired the setup and said, "I hope the community will run this place like the committee that controls the FNB soccer field in Lawaaikamp. There they run it professionally and no one can just arrive and play without prior arrangements. The facilities must be owned by the communities who have the responsibility to look after it."
From left: George Municipal Manager Trevor Botha, Project Coordinator Kidron Kaboni, Vidonia George (George Municipality Social Services), Nthangeni Thsivahse (National Department of Sport), Henry Paulse (Provincial Department of Sport) and former George rugby greats, Christo Noble and Urwin da Silva. Photo: Myron Rabinowitz
Now it is time to play on the new field. Photo: Myron Rabinowitz
ARTICLE: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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