The Sports Centre in Hillshaven, Westonaria, which Gold Fields South Deep Gold Mine refurbished in 2023 and officially handed over to the Rand West City Local Municipality in January 2024, is in such a poor condition after just two years that it can no longer be used.
The Centre – which included a swimming pool, soccer field, gymnasium, basketball court, tennis courts and clubhouse – was upgraded as part of the mine’s social and labour plan and community development obligations.
The aim was to create a sustainable socio-economic facility and make it a vibrant hub for sport, recreation and youth development.
During a recent oversight visit by the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus), the extent of the decay was evident: vegetation growing in the swimming pool, a soccer field overgrown with weeds and most of the gymnasium equipment missing – likely due to theft and a lack of security.
What was once a vibrant meeting place is now abandoned and dilapidated.
The Freedom Front Plus wrote to the Municipal Manager, Mr Elias Koloi, demanding to know why the Centre was not maintained and secured.
The party insists that the Municipality earmark funds to restore the Centre so that the community can once again use it.
This Centre is a valuable gift from Gold Fields South Deep Gold Mine, and the Municipality was expected to manage it responsibly.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep fulfilling its oversight role and applying pressure to ensure that residents enjoy the long-term benefit of this investment.
