Nellmapius recreation centre’s safety improved

The Tshwane metro has finally erected a wire fence around the Nellmapius recreation centre. The move comes after concerned parents complained to the metro about the safety of their children when they go to the swimming pool at the centre in Nellmapius, Extension 4.

Parents first demanded that the metro erect speed humps next to the centre in Morongwa, Dimakatso and Hlompho streets. Another pressing issue was that the children often climbed over the brick wall to gain excess to the swimming pool, which was dangerous.

Jabu Golele, chairperson of the Concerned Residents’ Association in Extension 4, said he was pleased that the Tshwane metro had taken their complaints seriously and erected the fence around the centre to prevent children from climbing over the high brick wall.

“We want the Tshwane metro to meet all our demands regarding the safety of children at the centre before December. This is the right time to fix all our concerns about the centre, because the children are busy writing their final examinations,” Golele said.

The swimming pools were not officially opened and the community was, therefore, not informed that they existed. “The Tshwane metro must not stop with the fence around the centre, we are still waiting for the speed humps next to the centre in Morongwa, Dimakatso and Hlompho streets.”

Children from all over Nellmapius come in large numbers to the centre to swim and Morongwa, Dimakatso and Hlompho Streets are the main streets in Nellmapius used most by taxis and buses, especially in the afternoon.

“But our biggest fear is the safety of the children when they swim, because there are six swimming pools and the last time we checked, there was only one lifeguard to look after them all,” Golele said.

The petition was handed in to the speaker of the council on 7 June and the public demanded feedback by 22 July. To date, the only demand in the petition that the metro reacted to was the erection of the fence.

The fence was erected last week Thursday and children are no longer able to jump the wall to gain access to the swimming pool.