Not cool at the pool for Top Town folks
The dilapidated public swimming pools in Top Town remain a grave concern for residents.
The facility, which is now packed with rubble and waste and has broken windows, was closed down 10 years ago.
Border Kei Chamber of Business administrator Adré Bartis said before the amalgamation of Tsolwana, Inkwanca and Lukhanji municipalities to form Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) there were regular meetings with the then Lukhanji Municipality at which residents would engage with the mayor through a forum consisting of various stakeholders.
“The issue was raised and at the time, the municipality said they did not have funds, but they would get an engineer to assess the pool. We also raised the issue of the Sandringham sports field that is being neglected. It is actually a valuable asset that could bring money into the municipality.”
Bartis said the discussions, unfortunately, were discontinued after the amalgamation. “The Sandringham sports field issue was never brought to council. It was always sidelined, so I think it is a very good idea to try and get to the bottom of it now and either push the municipality to sell the sports ground, as well as the pools, or the municipality goes into partnership so they can fix it and give it back to the community.”
She added that Southbourne Primary School tried to lease the sports ground from the municipality in 2015 and are currently leasing a house opposite the school which they have renovated and transformed into classrooms.
“The municipality has not come to the party. The last mayor who promised to look into it was Lindiwe Gunuza, but nothing has been done. It is not a matter of taking the grounds from he municipality, they will get an improved asset, as well as regular rent from the school.”
EMLM spokesperson Gcobani Msindwana said they had, on several occasions, indicated that the swimming pools were municipal property and had succumbed to damages which needed special expertise.
“It is expensive to repair. We are currently sourcing funding from other departments and stakeholders,” he said.