MASHISHING – An amount of R10 000 000 has been secured by the department of environmental affairs (DEA) for the redevelopment of Mashishing Community Park into an amusement park.
Thaba Chweu Local Economic Development Agency (Thaleda) has been appointed by DEA to be the implementer of the projects to be done.
According to Ms Sindiswa Mathebula, the accounting officer at THALEDA, the municipality has signed a memorandum of agreement with the DEA, which symbolises the acceptance of the project and as well as the responsibility to sustain the project.
Mathebula said that Thaleda applied to be considered as an implementing agent for DEA-approved programmes and they appointed as an implementing agent for the park.
For the past few weeks the residents of Mashishing have been asking questions about the development at the community park. According to community members the Steelburger/Lydenburg News encountered at the park, they did not understand why such an investment could be done to a park while they had many other issues within the community that needed immediate attention.
It is an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) project and it is anticipated that 141 people will be employed for a period of 12 months.
“The community will benefit from the redevelopment. We have employed residents of Mashishing, we will provide training (non-accredited and accredited training), and at least 55per cent of goods and services will be obtained from enterprises wholly owned by historically disadvantaged individuals (Hids),” she added.
“In 2013, Thaba Chweu Local Municipality applied to DEA for assistance to construct a facility that has water reticulation, electrification of the park, a wall, picnic spots, children’s corner, control gate, reception area, a kitchen, performing stage, general landscaping and planting of trees. The application has been approved and the project has begun,” said Mathebula.
“The park has originated from a number of community initiatives in 2012 and 2013, which were aimed at creating a place of entertainment and leisure for the community. However, there were financial challenges to implement those initiatives,” she explained.
When TCM was contacted about the redevelopment, the municipal spokesman
Mr Puleng Mapheto said that the municipality was not directly involved. Their role was to sign the memorandum of agreement.
