UPDATE: Ballito mosque sparks debate

The approval for a mosque to be built in Townsend Park Ballito has sparked heated debate among the community and political parties.

Two weeks ago, KwaDukuza council approved the sale of a 4 000 sq m plot, a third of Townsend Park, to the Zululand Islamic Society for R3.6 million to build the first mosque in the town.

The park, which is currently actively being used by residents for recreational activity, is estimated to be around 15 000 sq metres and includes a netball court, footy field, a scout hall and a conservation area known as the ‘butterfly park’.

Also read: Ballito mosque planned for Townsend Park

Though it has not yet been decided which part of the park will be sold, about 11 000 sq m would remain open space at this stage.

Some residents have contested the building with their main concerns being losing the park, decreasing property values, parking and the call to prayer announcements which are generally done with loudspeakers.

Some residents have vowed to start a petition against the mosque.

Resident Jinty Ford said she moved to Ballito to be surrounded by nature and questioned if there was no better site for the mosque.

“We moved here because of the tranquil, nature-like surroundings and park setting around our home. Start with one building in a park and pretty soon all the parks will be rezoned, wildlife affected and buildings popping up in them. There has to be a better-suited place for the mosque.”

Warren Lamprecht said he once lived in an area where a mosque was built and parking and loudspeakers had become a ‘nightmare’.

“The whole area changed. It is not good at all for residents in the area. Surely there is a better location. What about all the kids that play at that park?”

In the proposal submitted to KwaDukuza municipality (KDM), Zululand Islamic Society secretary Ntuthuko Khowene said they would agree to adhere to municipal bylaws and would not use a loud hailer to announce prayers.

“There are 220 Muslims who reside in the area, however the site will serve many more from surrounding areas. There are also about 150 Muslims from the workforce, businesses and industrial sectors in the town. There are a number of local and international holidaymakers who will use it.”

While KDM is getting ready to start with the next step of the process, DA Ilembe constituency head Dean Macpherson has accused them of not following the correct processes.

“We did not oppose the decision to sell the land for the mosque. We welcomed the opportunity to work with the Zululand Muslim Society to see this matter through in a way that allows all national and local laws to be adhered to, including that of public participation. Unfortunately, the municipality has not done so and in fact, puts the ability to establish the mosque at risk which we don’t want to see.

“We have a duty to protect both the mosque and the municipality from litigation. What KDM and the ANC has done is put communities against each other to advance the political agenda of the ANC, which is division.”

However, KDM media liaison Sipho Mkhize denied the municipal processes were flawed.

“It is a shame that the DA is distancing themselves from the knowledge about council and not giving correct information to residents. The fact is that we have six ways to dispose of assets and in this case, we are using section 11.2 private treaty sales. Our first step is always to submit the application to the council for approval which we have done.

“We then send out a notice to rezone from public open space to worship site, which will be our next step. This is where the community will have a say as the rezoning of the land may affect the rates of some of the surrounding property. Here we will hold

community meetings and people can submit their comments. Their comments will be assessed in relation to the application in council.”

South African Muslim Network chairperson Dr Faisal Suliman said while he encouraged education and awareness about their religion, the Muslim community should not have to defend their right to pray.

“There has been a history of the DA opposing the establishments of mosques in quite a few suburbs in KZN. The DA opposing the mosque in Ballito is just part of their cause. The Muslim community is quite accustomed to this double standard by the DA and we won’t be surprised if they use other rationalizations to oppose this so they do not appear to be the islamophobic party that it is.”

Suliman encouraged the community to educate themselves on Islam.

“Muslims use their place of worship more than any other religion because we pray five times a day, 365 days a week. Sadly the Christian community is crying that most of the churches are empty. On a purely constitutional basis of our right to practice our religion, we are entitled without having to justify ourselves to a place of worship. On one hand, we extend an invitation and we will gladly facilitate meetings about the religion but, on the other hand, we should say that no one is doing us a favour by giving us a place to pray. If people do not like it then too bad.”

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