A PROPOSAL to build 652 residential units on the site of the Umbilo Congella Sports Club has been submitted to eThekwini Municipality.
According to ward councillor, Nicole Graham, the proposal was put forward at a meeting of the Economic Development and Planning Committee last week.
She said the development included six and four storey units that would range from bachelor flats to two bedroom flats.
“This may very well be the best plan for the site, but I don’t believe that it is for officials or even councillors to decide in isolation. This number of residential units on this site will significantly affect this community, and they should be allowed to have input on how this occurs.”
She said what concerned her was not the content of the proposal, but the way it had been carried out.
“I have been trying to get answers and progress on this site, which is a huge community concern in its current state, for almost a year. I was told it was being rehabilitated and money was set aside in the current budget for this. I was told I would be made aware of the various proposals for the site, and the community would be allowed to have input as to what they would like to see happen there. From my interactions with people, many wanted this to be a community sports and recreation space, as there are so many blocks of flats in this area already,” said Graham.
She said recent attempts to get information from Deputy Head of Parks, Christo Swart, had not been answered and the first time she had sight of the proposed framework was when it appeared on the committee agenda.
“As the DA, we support the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network and improved public transport. We also support the development of housing, but we cannot support processes that don’t allow communities to have a voice. The response from officials was that this participation will be done at a later stage, but I don’t believe we can even approve a framework where ward councillors and communities have not been consulted or even informed of the plans,” she said.
A resident, who asked not to be named, said a number of issues were raised concerning the plans, the most glaringly obvious was the lack of consultation which was contrary to the whole process of development and town planning.
“I believe this should be raised in the strongest of ways, however it seems to be the way things are these days, so I’m not hopeful that this will become the norm as far as doing business is concerned. In some ways the land might be better used for housing, however in this whole process, there is a lesson and that is if our parks are not maintained on a sustainable basis they risk getting to the point of no return. We need to be ever vigilant that they are used for the right purposes and don’t become breeding grounds for criminal activity or places for the homeless to set up camp,” he said.
Ironically, in light of this latest proposal and the impending closure of Berea Rovers Sports Club, the City Manager S’bu Sithole, issued a media statement this week where he reiterated the pivotal role sports clubs play in society. Sithole said sport transcended all fabrics of society, such as religion, race, class and gender and had the power to empower people, motivate and unify.
Addressing the City’s top management on Monday, 17 November, Sithole said sports clubs had a very important role to play in promoting a culture of wellness and building social cohesion. He said there was no intention to undermine the role sports clubs play in the City.
“The municipality is busy reviewing the state of all sports clubs in the City and a report will be tabled to the Executive Committee once it has been completed,” he said.
He said the future strategy of sports clubs would take into account the clubs’ role in transforming society and improving wellness and lifestyles, especially of young people. “The business model including rental structures will not be uniform but will treat each club on its own merit,” he said.
Sithole added that the strategy for sports clubs, like any other business of the city, should be based on the municipality’s vision and effectively contribute to building a sustainable city.
