Watch: Actonville sports complex also gone to the dogs
The tennis, netball and basketball courts are covered by thick vegetation and overgrown grass.
Once a hive of activity echoing with the thud of tennis balls and the rhythm of bouncing balls, the Actonville tennis, basketball and netball courts now stand as a symbol of neglect.
The state of the facility paints a grim picture of what residents described as the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) failure to maintain public spaces meant to uplift communities.
@benonicitytimes Once a hive of activity echoing with the thud of tennis balls and the rhythm of bouncing balls, the Actonville tennis, basketball and netball courts now stand as a symbol of neglect.
Entering the grounds, visitors are confronted by the pungent smell of discarded baby nappies, rotting corn peels and litter strewn carelessly by the gate.
What should be a welcoming recreational space instead resembles an illegal dumping site.
Further inside, the situation worsens.
Thick vegetation and overgrown grass blanket large sections of the facility, obscuring the playing areas from view.
Reaching the courts is an obstacle course – ducking under shrubs, navigating waist-high grass and stepping over scattered rubbish.
Although the perimeter fence around the courts remains intact, parts of the playing surfaces are being swallowed by overgrowth.
Along the fence bordering Mayet Street, more litter lies in heaps, reinforcing the sense of abandonment.
While the grass has been cut on the pavement along the perimeter fence, the litter has been left uncollected in heaps.
Also Read: The Corner Flag: Playgrounds of decay
For long-time residents, the deterioration is painful to witness.
Commenting anonymously, an elderly resident who grew up in the area, told the Benoni City Times the courts were once a source of pride and joy for the community.
“This place was nice, but look at it now. We used to play football, and there were tennis courts,” he said.
“It’s sad what I see here. They don’t care about us anymore. There’s no control. Residents litter, and children now use this facility to smoke nyaope.”
Another resident, who also commented anonymously, echoed the sentiment, expressing disappointment that a space with so much potential has been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent.
“It’s a disgrace. The people in the council only care for themselves. What are we paying tax for? We pay tax for the grass to be cut and for the maintenance of such facilities. But it looks like the government is eating the money,” he said.
He added that the neglect is particularly frustrating given the social challenges facing young people in the area.
“Children want to come and play here, but they can’t. Now they are doing nyaope because the municipality can’t keep the sports complex clean. Recreational places like this are supposed to keep them out of mischief.”
Ward councillor responds
Imtiaaz Loonat, the ward councillor for Actonville, said his attempts to get the CoE to maintain the facility have been in vain.
“We’ve been pressurising the Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture department but nothing has been done. I spoke with them last week. They claim the job has been contracted but I haven’t seen a contractor.
“SRAC doesn’t maintain facilities throughout Benoni. They probably don’t have the budget or resources.”
The City Times is awaiting comment from the CoE.
Also Read: The Corner Flag: Courts are rotting away
