MEC hands over R13m sport facility for rural South Coast village

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The MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mrs Bongi Sithole-Moloi handed over a newly built state of the art sports stadium to the community of Gcilima, near Margate on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast on Friday, 23 February.

The construction of Jabavu Sportsfield, formerly known as Thokothe Grounds, was funded by the Provincial Department of Sport and Recreation at a cost of over R13million. The venue accommodates different sport codes such as soccer, netball, volleyball, basketball, tennis as well as athletics. The sports complex comprises two football fields and a multi-sport combination court.

The main sports field has proper concrete structured spectator stands, incorporating a VIP guest’s area, change rooms as well as ablution facilities for both the athletes and the spectators.

Jabavu was the first democratically elected councillor of the area after the 1994 democratic transition in the country. According to the local Inkosi Mxo Xolo, the new facility has been re-named to honor Jabavu’s contribution and commitment to serve the community.

Accompanying MEC Sithole-Moloi at the ceremony was Inkosi Mxo Xolo, Ugu District Municipality Mayor, Mondli Chiliza, Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality Mayor Cynthia Mqwebu as well as neighboring traditional leader, Inkosi Thembalenkosi Nzimakwe.

The MEC urged the Municipality, traditional leadership and the community at large to assist in keeping and maintaining the facility in good condition.  She added that she expects to see local youth excel in sport as they have been provided with proper infrastructure.

“I hope that in the near future we will see a football team from Gcilima competing in the Motsepe League (Second Division) and later in the National First Division,” she said.

The MEC also handed over maintenance equipment for the facility including grass-cutting equipment as well as sport kits and balls for local teams and schools.  The Department is also providing funding to the local municipality to employ maintenance and administration staff.

Vision

A healthy, winning, and socially cohesive province through sport and recreation.

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