Swimming pool fixed for Mthonjaneni residents
THERE were jubilant ululations during the official reopening of a community swimming pool at the Mthonjaneni local municipality on Friday.
The pool is open to everyone and will reduce the burden of residents having to travel to Alkantstrand to cool in the water during the scorching summer.
During the official opening, Mayor Mbangiseni Biyela stated the pool would be used for swimming lessons, and by ordinary community members.
He further urged local schools to make a booking if they need to use the pool to teach their learners.
“As the municipality, we took a resolution to refurbish this pool, which was only utilised by certain people before and it became neglected. Our main aim is to allow all residents to have this structure so that they can use it.
"We have lifeguards who will be assisting swimmers. We also have small ponds for little children which are not deep. Intoxicated people won't be allowed to utilise this facility, to avoid drowning and unnecessary death.
“Whenever we go to participate in SALGA games, we do not compete in the swimming sport code, as we did not have a swimming pool for our athletes to prepare themselves for the competition. Now there is no excuse.
"This swimming pool is 50 metres long and 20 metres wide and we are also going to upgrade it to the highest level ,” he said.
Before the reopening of the pool, Biyela, his executives, and councillors together with the IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa and his NEC members started the day with a peaceful walk, to encourage the residents to live a healthy lifestyle and to raise awareness about the danger of drug abuse and women abuse.
“Killing of innocent people and drug abuse are very high in our area, especially in Thubalethu township. This must come to an end,” Biyela said.
Addressing the community during the event, IFP President Hlabisa encouraged residents to exercise regularly and to drink water rather than alcohol.
He further encouraged all political parties to exercise peace and avoid confrontations during electioneering.
“People have made up their minds and they know which party they want to vote for,” he said