EKURHULENI MMC for Environment and Waste Management Services, Clr Ndosi Shongwe, will embark on a drive to open recreational parks across the city.
The development of recreational parks is aimed at the beautification of township entrances but also provides social benefits such as an outdoor gym, entertainment areas and for relaxation purposes.
The programme kick-started on Friday last week with the official opening of the Atlasvlei Park in Boksburg.
Other parks set to be opened by Shongwe include two parks on April 7, Actonville Park and Dersley Park, one at the Springs town entrance and another at the Vosloorus entrance on April 21, as well as one at the Duduza entrance on April 28.
The opening of these recreational parks follows the city’s plans to increase capital investment in sporting and community social amenities.
“We will promote and finance sporting tournaments in various sporting codes. We want to produce great talent in all fields of the arts through school and community programmes,” Ekurhuleni mayor, Clr Mzwandile Masina, asserted at his State of the City Address in Germiston on Wednesday last week.
The city plans on spending R91-million in the three-year medium term period on the construction of community social amenities like a new swimming pool in Duduza, a library in Etwatwa and the Germiston Theatre.
“We are working hard to roll out parks for recreational activities in our communities. We have completed environmental impact assessments as well as park designs for Nyoni Park in Vosloorus and Welgedacht Park in Springs.”
In the context of sports, the metro has invested in local games and tournaments, which assist in addressing social ills and also harnessing the talent of young people within the sporting fraternity.
“December sees the abuse of alcohol and substances due to an increase in demand for recreation and schools closing. It is within this backdrop that the city has increased its sponsorship and strategic partnership in local communities to formalise and increase participation in soccer tournaments in December. The December tournaments have become an integral part of the sporting calendar in the city. Over the years the metro has given support to these tournaments. These tournaments attract in excess of 100 000, as with the Phyllis games in Tembisa.”
Masina added that the city would be hosting the Mayoral Kings of Diski Challenge at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton this coming Easter weekend from April 14 to 16.
He concluded that the city is committed to working with all stakeholders in promoting social development and strengthening communities, announcing that they have increased the allocation for grants for NGOs within Ekurhuleni’s communities from R20-m to R100-m per annum.
