Newmarket Stables given eviction notice
Stables given one month to vacate premises which will be demolished to make way for a soccer academy.
THE Newmarket Stables which has been a fixture of Durban’s equestrian landscape for almost a hundred years has been given a months notice, the end of August, to vacate the premises. According to Nadine Parker, who runs the stables riding school situated on Masabalala Yengwa Avenue (formerly NMR Avenue), the news has been greeted with anger and disappointment. It is believed the grounds will be used for the development of a Liverpool soccer academy allegedly worth R300 million. The new venture will also affect the popular Flea Market which supports around 270 vendors and the Cyril Geoghegan Cycle Stadium.
The stables is home to 48 horses , four of which cannot be re-homed because of their age, and may have to be euthanized. The news has prompted an outcry on social media which has also led to Save Newmarket Stables Facebook page. Parker labelled the municipalities eviction notice as ‘gangsters railroading’ their plan.
‘Durban is not a company’
“This has been like a sword of Damocles hanging over our heads. We offer a 100 children riding lessons as well as livery. We are a heritage site, catering to disabled riders and able bodied riders making is affordable for Durban and surrounding areas children to learn ride. These ponies are precious, not just to me, but to the hundreds of children who we help on a daily basis.
“There was no consultation and we were given the eviction notice on Monday. If the municipality has plans they should be talking to us. We are angry and upset. The support shown by residents so far has been amazing. Right now we are trying to save the stables and the horses and we are going to fight this. This is bigger than just me, it affects hundreds of local residents. The municipality does not own the Durban, the city is not a company,” Parker said.
She added the stables were planning to take the matter to the High Court but the decision was dependent on funding that they are trying to raise through their Facebook page.
“I just want to thank all those who have come forward to lend their support and offer to re-home so many of the horses. I’m very concerned about four of our oldest horses, Doc, Handy Andy, Kiarra and Bridget of Kent. They need a lot of attention because of their age and I’m faced with this heartbreaking decisions on their futures which is eating me up inside,” she said.
