By: Siphiwe Ngcongco
Galeshewe – The deterioration of the Mayibuye Multi-Purpose Centre infrastructure has raised widespread concerns on Social Media platforms by Galeshewe residents about safety, quality of life and the impact on Kimberley’s economic growth.
The then state-of-the-art center in Hulana Street, Galeshewe, was launched in 2004 by former Northern Cape premier Manne Dipico. At the time, he complimented the construction of the Mayibuye Center as the government’s commitment to bringing world-class and modern facilities closest to the community.
“This center will be instrumental in developing skills and talent in our community. Indeed it will have a great and positive impact on the development of our community in terms of arts, culture and sports,” said Dipico at the launch.
Dipico added that the objective was to provide youth with a healthy social, moral and recreational environment, citing that the construction of the building reflected the commitment made by the government to stick to its promise. The then Premier pleaded with residents to look after the building so that it does not become a victim of neglect.
Fast forward to today, it is clear that stakeholders should have taken Dipico’s words to heart, given the current state of affairs.
Community activist, Pakes Dikgetsi, speaking to our publication, expressed disappointment regarding the Mayibuye center’s state, from the building infrastructure to the landscape facilities. He said the political mentality should not be injected; instead, government officials should carry out their tasks as delegated and serve the community’s needs.
“It was shocking and depressing, and this makes one feel angry about how a state-of-the-art facility can be neglected and deteriorate to such an extent. Mayibuye was supposed to play a crucial role in the artistic world,” he added .“The roof is falling, there is dirt on the ground, and the sports academy is non-functional. Nothing is happening. There is a lack of maintenance. Hence the rhetorical question: what are these employed officials doing?” commented Dikgetsi.
Community member Keitumetsi Mafelandleleni said the centre used to be the pride of the township and a sacred place for youth not to be drawn to illegal substance abuse.
“We used to be proud of the place, but the current condition scares us as we do not know when it will fall. We see young lives destroyed by alcohol and drugs – the center gave hope, something to look forward to after school. DSAC is not interested in caring for or fixing the facility,” she said.
Meanwhile, RC Elliot & Roodenpan Hall’s infrastructures are a carbon copy of the other dilapidated infrastructure with no life following the community’s brutal vandalism some time ago.
Another resident, Chris January, commented that community members were to be blamed for vandalising public property whenever there is a dispute with the government. “Protesting or marching does not permit anyone to destroy community treasures. Later, it is the same people that will complain that the government is doing little to develop urban and rural areas. Show me any building that is not broken or run down. We are the first people to say we have nothing, yet we cannot even appreciate the little we have. When a building is left unattended, come back a few months later, and you will find only the foundation left,” lamented January.
Sol Plaatje municipality spokesperson Thoko Riet said they have renovated the Recreational Hall in Galeshewe, which is currently in use. “The community halls are in our plans to be demolished and rebuilt from the ground because they are damaged beyond recognition and this will cost the city millions.”
“The RC Elliot hall and Social center are in the IDP for renovations but have not been funded. The compensation received from the insurance for RC Elliot was too little as the hall is too shabby, we intend to divert the funds to refurbish the Social Centre in Galeshewe and Sweden Hall in Floors, but that still needs to be discussed by the Council,” explained Riet.
Both the Department of Public Works and Sport, Arts and Culture have not yet to respond to our inquiries by the time of going to print.
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