A club that benefits the community

THE article titled “Parties slam moves to extend lease” penned by Bulelwa Payi, published on August 8, is onesided, containing limited facts and many omissions, and clearly based on political agendas.

Renewal of the lease will not only benefit the Stellenbosch Flying Club and all those that make use of it, but having an airfield – which is maintained at no cost to council – represents a direct benefit to Stellenbosch, the surrounding area and it’s people for many reasons, not least as a disaster response springboard for firefighting.

It is well-managed by the club, as our track record demonstrates. We welcome members and flight training students from all walks of life. Unlike many clubs, we are also open to the general public. We encourage everyone to enjoy and use our facilities, the restaurant and lawn area, and its fantastic setting in the Cape Winelands.

All facts pertaining to the current lease itself, including rentals, rates and service charges, are a matter of public record and are available from the Stellenbosch Municipality. The statement that the lease extension is a ploy by the DA-led municipality, to protect and enhance white privilege, has no basis in fact. It is perplexing, given the statement by Derrick Hendrickse, that the land should be sold. This leads one to question who may benefit from such a sale. Certainly not the community.

Hendrickse’s further statement – that the municipality does not derive market-related value from the site – is also ill-informed, particularly if one considers that the municipality owns and leases only the land, and that all improvements on the site were at the expense of the club’s members.

Contrary to what is stated in your article, all construction at the airfield is approved by the municipality planning department before commencement and, again, this information is all on record at the municipality.

The club has leased the land since 1971, when the runway was established entirely at the cost of the club members on what was then a bare and unproductive piece of land zoned for agricultural use. Maintenance costs of the airfield are carried by the club, with no intervention or support from the municipality. Unlike many other nonprofit organisations leasing municipal property, often at very low or negligible rates, the club pays full rates and pays all service fees for the property, making it a consistent source of revenue for the municipality, notwithstanding being a well run local resource used for vital disaster support.

The airfield is home to small businesses which, together with the club itself, provide full-time employment to more than 40 people, all of whom have remained fully employed through the Covid-19 lockdown. These people are from the local area, including Jamestown, Khayamandi, Somerset West and the Strand.

During the summer fire season, the airfield is home to two aerial firefighting operations, namely the Western Cape government’s Working on Fire and the Winelands Municipality firefighting programme. These essential services benefit the region and the local community directly – protecting wilderness areas, agricultural areas, crops and buildings, homes and businesses. These services employ an additional 40 seasonal fire crew.

The Western Cape Department of Basic Education is in discussion with the Stellenbosch Flying Club regarding the establishment of an aviationthemed high school. This school will benefit underprivileged children from the local area, who are planning a career in aviation. The intention is that they will complete their Grade 12 year with a qualification that can provide them with an entry into aviation, be it as a pilot, technician or in some other role. The club recognises the value in this initiative and supports it’s establishment. The club will be playing a direct role through flight instruction and the provision of other support, yet to be defined. These talks are in the early stages and further information is available from the department.