Polokwane unveils Ext 44/78 sports centre named after Thabo Makunyane
Polokwane has opened the Ext 44/78 Multipurpose Sports Centre, named after veteran mayor Thabo Makunyane, to serve Ward 8 communities.
POLOKWANE – The Polokwane Municipality has officially handed over the new Ext 44/78 Multipurpose Sports Centre, named in honour of the city’s first veteran mayor, Thabo Makunyane.
The formal handover was led by Mayor John Mpe and marks the completion of a multi-million-rand municipal infrastructure project aimed at serving residents of Ward 8.
Modern sports facilities for the community
The new facility transforms previously open ground into a structured recreational precinct, featuring modern sports fields, courts and supporting facilities designed to promote local sports development, youth engagement and civic events.
According to Mpe, the project forms part of the city’s broader infrastructure rollout aimed at providing modern and accessible recreational spaces to growing residential neighbourhoods outside the central business district.
A long-standing commitment
“The infrastructure handover fulfils a long-standing developmental commitment to the Ext 44 and Ext 78 communities, which have experienced rapid residential growth over the past decade. By establishing dedicated sports facilities, the municipality aims to address the historic shortage of public amenities in peripheral wards,” he said.
What the facility will host
Local administrative teams confirmed that the facility will host:
- Structured school sports leagues
- Community soccer tournaments
- Municipal youth development programmes
Mpe said the venue will also serve an important civic purpose by providing a centralised location for community meetings, public health drives and regional ward committee assemblies.
Ongoing maintenance and management
The municipality will retain ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the property, while local ward committees will assist with scheduling activities to ensure equitable access for community clubs.
Part of a broader spatial plan
The municipality said the project forms part of a phased spatial planning framework intended to integrate essential social services, security infrastructure and recreational spaces directly into residential developments, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for Polokwane residents.
