Comings and goings in Ingagane

For Ingagane, the good and bad are interspersed.

New developments at the beleaguered sport grounds are welcome, although concerns about malfunctioning streetlights and litter have residents upset.

With regard to the grounds, residents said this was a culmination of many years of complaint.

“We have fought many years for the grounds. Sport keeps the children occupied, because our main concern is drugs,” said one resident.

Following reports of rehabilitation at the grounds, residents noted the old tennis courts had been removed, workers were laying foundations for new courts, and grass had been trimmed.

However, it is not all good news.

“Termite ant mounds are appearing on the field; there are holes and obstacles which can only be described as dangerous.”

One resident said he often brought along his gardener to fill in the holes and cut the grass, and has also had to scare off quad bikers forming doughnuts on the turf.

This is in stark contrast to the new e-park within the Ingagane village.

Already boasting equipment similar to that installed at the Crawford and Amanath parks in Newcastle, construction is continuing overall.

“The park is looking nice, and we were informed it would be complete by December.”

On the one hand, the Municipality has sought to avoid drownings at the abandoned swimming pool by draining most of the murky water, and posting a security guard to prevent entrance to the facility.

Conversely, the problem of malfunctioning or broken streetlights, and overflowing skip bins, has been raised by residents.

Developments at Ingagane were also mentioned briefly during a sitting of the Executive Committee in August, where SED, Vish Govender said the grounds were close to completion.

A ward committee member welcomed the news.

Discussing the forward momentum development has provided, he explained sport events often had to be relocated to Newcastle itself and other facilities in the area.

In the meantime, local sport enthusiasts were losing out.

“We have heard the Municipality is planning two tennis courts, a netball court and either a futsol or volleyball facility – there are a lot of talented sports players in Ingagane.”