Big plans to spruce up Themba CBD
As part of a R74m upgrade of the Thembalethu central business district (CBD), George Municipality will be replacing the brick wall around the Thembalethu sport grounds with a Clear Vu fence and revamp the old clinic site next to the stadium to house a call centre.
These upgrades form part of the Ilisolethu Neighbourhood Development Framework, initiated in 2022 by the municipality in partnership with National Treasury. The project is focused on creating a vibrant community node in Thembalethu which can attract new investment into the area
and stimulate economic activity, according to the municipality. The name 'Ilisolethu', meaning 'Our eye', was branded by the ward councillor of Thembalethu and ward committee for Ward 13, who supported a possible brand logo for the area.
George Acting Municipal Manager Lauren Waring said the fence upgrade is part of an urban design initiative to bring in walkways,
additional cameras, outdoor gym equipment and a 5km running track.
The old clinic site, which is in a state of disrepair, will be developed with the backing of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). It is foreseen that the call centre will support job creation.
"The property was made available to the municipality by the provincial government
and the lease of the site was advertised for comment. The signing of a lease agreement is in the process, which will see the release of funding to not only upgrade the building for social and economic community support purposes, but also the construction of a soccer astro turf facility on the Thembalethu sport grounds. The proposed investors, the DBSA, and their professional teams will be working within the ambit of the guidelines of the Ilisolethu Framework."
She said the adopted framework prescribes well-designed open spaces and areas for recreation that are connected and where different types of land uses meet.
Fencing of the sport grounds will cost R1,7m
A representative from a sport stakeholder, who wishes to remain anonymous, complained that the replacement of the wall would be expensive and wasteful expenditure. He also said fencing would be more prone to vandalism and that they prefer solid walls so that spectators are not able to watch matches from the street.
Responding to this concern, Waring said consultation took place two weeks ago with all the sport clubs' structures and councillors in Thembalethu and there was consensus that the project should proceed. The issues of vandalism and repetitive maintenance on buildings and equipment, safety of community members who use the facility as well as the visibility behind brick-and-mortar walls were discussed.
Solid wall and security
She said the solid wall creates a security risk because it is not see-through. This was also the sentiment of teachers of the adjacent Imizamo Yethu Secondary School, as well as the developers of the old clinic and surrounds. "A portion of the wall is in good condition, however, another portion collapsed and created a massive risk to the adjacent school learners. This a grant-funded project, and fence will be more beneficial to the community from a safety and vandalism perspective."
The municipality already has an arrangement at the Uniondale sport facility where shade cloth is used to cover the fence so that people cannot watch games from the street, and this same arrangement will be applicable at the Thembalethu sport grounds. Clubs and sport bodies agreed that they would be responsible for the upkeep and security needs at the facility to prevent vandalism.
"Enhanced security for all areas in the upgraded node is planned, as part of the Ilisolethu initiative," said Waring.
Development Bank approached George
Waring said George is privileged that the DBSA approached the municipality to request an opportunity to invest in Thembalethu and that National Treasury is giving the Neighbourhood Development Partnership grant.
"These funders could have elected to invest anywhere in the country, but chose George due to our sound financial and corporate governance as well as the commitment of the municipality to improve the living conditions of all its residents. These projects are cornerstones for the redevelopment of the Thembalethu CBD, and this, we believe, should be the focus by all."