Daveyton Golf Club will be at the centre of strategic development – metro

In an article under the headline Daveyton Golf Club rapidly declining, published in the City Times in March, we outlined the sorry state of the club and the concern of members and employees at the lack of maintenance of the club by the Ekurhuleni metro.

The metro has subsequently responded that the remainder of the property, known as Daveyton Golf Course, has been identified as a strategic land parcel due to its profiling, size, location and zoning.

ALSO READ: 

Daveyton Golf club is rapidly declining

“It is being considered as having further development potential and, if developed, it is envisaged to facilitate and encourage improved high-quality social infrastructure, economic development and urban regeneration within the immediate and surrounding areas of Daveyton,” said metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

“The intention is to make the property available for development by suitable private sector investors and developers through a long-term lease for retail, transport and residential development.

“The purpose of releasing the property is to serve as a catalyst for economic development within the City of Ekurhuleni.

“Subject to approval, the property will be released through the metro’s supply chain management processes in accordance with the land disposal framework and leasing policy.”

The Daveyton Golf Club opened in 1965 and was the first golf course in a township area in South Africa.

Desmond Maloba, the chairperson of Daveyton Golf Club, has fond memories of when the East Rand, especially Daveyton, was the pride and model of township development.

The lack of maintenance at one of the East Rand’s most well-known courses has taken a toll on him and others who remember the course in its prime.

“The property was subject to a long-term nominal lease agreement for purposes of operating the golf course and clubhouse, which has since terminated by way of effluxion of time on June 30, 2011, and the lessee continued to occupy the property on a tacit agreement,” said Dlamini.

“The lease agreement also made provision for the lessee’s maintenance-related obligations and upkeep of the general property. The City intends to enter into new market-related lease agreements for sporting and/or recreational facilities, which will enable proper contract management and revenue generation necessary for the upkeep and management of the City’s occupied/leased properties.”

ALSO READ: 

Metro plays catch-up after backlog in rubbish collection

When the City Times last spoke with Maloba, he said he had written a letter to the metro, outlining everything that the club needed and was struggling with.

“Setting aside their ideological learnings, there is undeniable truth in what they say,” said Maloba.

“Can Africans create a better future for coming generations? This is the question that is staring us in the face. Can we develop our current golf course into a better golf facility for future generations?

“As members of the club, we know what is required.

“We have both the will and requisite skills to develop and maintain the course, provided we are given the necessary support and budget.”

Dlamini said that the metro continues to be dedicated to fast-tracking the proper management and use of all the City’s sporting and recreational facilities and properties in collaboration with sporting/recreational clubs/federations/organisations or communities.

“As such, one of the conditions for the proposed long-term development lease of the Daveyton Golf Club property is to have the successful private sector investor or bidder move the golf course elsewhere, with a property of similar or of equal standard to that where the current Daveyton Golf Course is located, which cost would be borne by the respective successful investor or bidder.

“The alternative or replacement property, once complete, will revert to the City of Ekurhuleni for management and will be released for purposes of operating a recreational facility (golf course) and related ancillary uses,” concluded Dlamini.

Maloba responded to the metro’s comments:

“In response to the council’s intentions, we have no problem, provided they can give us an alternative site to relocate to.

“We refute the claim that the property was subject to a long-term nominal agreement.

“Also, to say the current arrangement is tacit is a misrepresentation of the content of the agreement signed in 2001.

“Lastly, the issue of entering new market-related agreements is subject to negotiation, taking into account our historical background.”