HM Pitje Stadium lies in ruins as residents demand progress

It now looks like all hope is gone for the iconic HM Pitje stadium.

The iconic stadium, which was once the pride of Mamelodi and home ground for the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club, is now piled high with rubble and dirt.

Residents have lost hope of having a new stadium built, as they were promised before the 2010 World Cup.

The iconic stadium was demolished by the Department of Infrastructure Development in 2023, giving locals hope that a new state-of-the-art sports facility would soon break ground, but so far, nothing has happened.

The stadium was demolished due to its dilapidated state and failure to meet safety regulations.

Solly Masemola, chairperson of Mamelodi Sports Council, said Mamelodi has serious challenges, especially in terms of its future development of sports.

“We are having a problem with facilities which are not taken care of by Tshwane Metro.

“HM Pitje stadium, which was set to be prepared for the 2010 [World Cup], and money was [supposed to be] spent to uplift and renovate it, [but] up to date, [there has been] no development,” he said.

Mamelodi children used to hold soccer tournaments and school athletics competitions there, but these days they are forced to host sports events around the township.

“Almost all recreational facilities in Mamelodi need to be taken care of, and we always have a challenge to [find a venue to] make use of when we are having events,” said Masemola.

Another facility, which is of great concern, is the Mamelodi West Community Hall. People are hiring the hall, but with the ceilings that are falling apart and no renovation, one day people will be injured because of its dilapidated state.

Masemola added, “It is [a] great concern [for] the Mamelodi Sports Council, as we want to see these facilities fully operational and taken care of.

“We need our leaders and stakeholders, especially the financial muscle, to come to Mamelodi and revamp these facilities for Mamelodi children.”

Silindiwe Masanabo from Mamelodi West said the stadium used to be the home ground for her team, Mamelodi Sundowns, and she remembers that it was used for hosting school athletics for local learners.

Masanabo said the last she heard was that the stadium was going to be upgraded as one of the 2010 FIFA World Cup SA legacy projects for the city, but it never happened.

She said when [the government] finally demolished what was left of the stadium in 2023, the community thought the project of building a new stadium would soon start, but that also never happened.

Masanabo said that it is heartbreaking to walk past an empty stadium and see nearby residents slowly turning it into a dumpsite.

HM Pitje Stadium, not used since 2005, has a rich history and heritage, not only for the community of Mamelodi, but for the whole country, because the stadium has produced many soccer legends.

One legend is Greg Mashilo, who said he is disappointed, adding that it is clearly affecting the development of Mamelodi players, in terms of both development and promotions.

“We need focused people who lead us to get that stadium functioning again to its glory days,” said Mashilo.

“We are lagging with promoting, in terms of developing players or athletes in Mamelodi, because we use old sports facilities.

“A stadium like HM Pitje stadium, on its own, prepares local players to play [on] a bigger stage,” said Mashilo.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city, through its Community and Social Development Services Department, has taken proactive steps to unlock new opportunities for the stadium.

Mashigo said that although financial constraints have delayed its upgrade, the city has chosen to commercialise the facility to ensure its long-term sustainability and benefit to the community.

“Working hand in hand with the Tshwane Group Property Management Department, which is leading the process as custodian, the city has already completed a comprehensive public participation programme,” he said.

This process was approved by Council in November 2023, followed by a well-attended community meeting at Mamelodi West Community Hall in February 2024.

He said a feedback report was subsequently tabled and approved by Council in November 2024, reflecting residents’ valuable inputs.

The next milestone will see Group Property Management finalising preparations to invite proposals from potential investors.

“This tender process will pave the way for a visionary commercial precinct that integrates the stadium and surrounding developments, creating a vibrant hub for sport, business, and recreation,” said Mashigo.

“Through this approach, the city is not only preserving the legacy of HM Pitje Stadium but also opening the door for private investment that can deliver jobs, improved facilities, and renewed pride for the people of Mamelodi and the broader Tshwane community.”

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