SMME wants municipality to get on board with park renovation

A member of the SMME (Small medium and micro enterprises) in Ward 4, Minky Motaung, as well as ward councillor, Johan Zerwick, is adamant that the once functional recreational facilities in the park opposite Potchefstroom Hospital should be upgraded for the community.

“Children are playing in the park every day. They need a safe and well-kept area for outdoor activities. The restrooms at the tennis courts can be upgraded for the community to use,” says Minky.

Motaung is one of four SMME’s from ward 4 that has to share funds from the ward allocation to upgrade the restrooms at the tennis courts.

Four labourers are currently employed by Minky. They are putting bread on the table by renovating the building. John Lebelo and Alpheus Sekhute are painters and Leeto Nambani and Aobakoe Mahube are plumbers who are also residents of Ward 4.

“The structure is badly damaged. Homeless people have been sleeping in the building making open fires on the floors”, says Minky. Everything in the kitchen and bathrooms has been stolen and the ceiling and windows are all broken. The renovators only have enough money to paint the building, install doors, and fix the bathrooms by installing toilets, basins, and plumbing. “We want the municipality to assist us with more funds to restore the rest of the building. The ceilings and floor also need to be repaired”, says Minky.

“Residents in the area want a neat sustainable park”, says Minky who is pleading with the municipality to get a permanent contract from the Department of Sport Arts and Culture to maintain the park.