The big screen TV removed from Bulithando Park in KwaThema, is one of the three “fan parks” in Ekurhuleni.
The “fan parks” were created as part of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, and TVs in all 22 parks around South Africa have been removed in April.
According to Graeme Joffe, CEO of Township TV which supplied the TVs, their company approached the Ekurhuleni City 2010 World Cup Committee in 2008, with the idea to create the “fan parks”.
He said Township TV was started seven years ago as a, “social responsibility project, providing free DStv entertainment to the less fortunate communities”.
Graeme said the project, which provided 24 hour security at no cost to the metro assisted with education, created jobs, got kids off the street and uplifted the communities.
The company relied on corporate sponsorship, and Graeme adds that, “despite several calls to government, we have not received any assistance.”
The CEO said they are trying to sell the company to stake holders in the media industry, and could not guarantee that the TV will be returned.
“It makes me very sad, as this was my baby from day one, I feel for the communities who are missing out on all the daily programming, PSL action and soon the World Cup in Brazil,” concluded Graeme.
Spokesperson for Ekurhuleni Metro Lebohang Ramashala said the State of the City address was the last broadcast made by the city before the TV was removed.
“We benefited and would have liked to continue using the TV, said Ramashala.
She said the metro will look at, “utilising other service providers when to broadcast information to the community.”
