KIMBERLEY – The AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley, a historic multi-purpose sports venue that serves as a vital symbol of heritage, is set for an upgrade in the 2026-’27 fiscal year.
Despite once being a stronghold for many rugby clubs, especially during the apartheid era, the facility has fallen into severe disrepair in recent years. Infrastructure has been stripped by vandals and fields have become overgrown.
This is in stark contrast to the colourful murals that were created a few years ago outside the stadium’s entrance walls in an effort to rekindle interest and care.
Additional R10 million allocated
On Tuesday 10 March, during her provincial budget speech, Venus Blennies-Magage – the Northern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism – said an additional R10 million had been allocated to the department to refurbish the AR Abass Stadium.
This will include rehabilitation of critical infrastructure; restoration of ablution facilities; upgrading of the playing surfaces; and implementation of a structured and sustainable maintenance plan.
The stadium, established in 1958 under the ownership of the Griqualand West Rugby Football Union, was once the home of, amongst others, the Universal Rugby Football Club and served as a focal point for school and club sports.
It famously hosted midweek “Thursday derbies” between local secondary schools such as William Pescod and Floors. It is named after A.R. Abass, a local resident and rugby player who played for the Arabian College Rugby Football Club at the site as early as 1903.
In 2012, the management of the stadium was transferred to the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, whilst ownership remains with the Department of Public Works.
Full breakdown of maintenance and repair plans requested
Harold McGluwa, DA MPL, said in a recent statement that his party had requested the department to provide a full breakdown of maintenance and repair plans for this stadium and other sporting facilities in the province.
In 2020, he said, the department proposed a R14 million rehabilitation project, as the stadium, after years of neglect, was in severe disrepair and had previously operated without a dedicated maintenance budget.
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McGluwa said the department blamed delays in refurbishments on the stalled appointment of consultants, whilst the facility continued to deteriorate. After the municipality appointed an inadequate contractor, funds that were spent were meant to be repaid. Nothing has since materialised.
According to McGluwa, an engineer from the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality has confirmed that a compliance certificate will not be issued for the stadium until safety concerns are addressed.
Despite millions in taxpayer funds being spent, recent oversight inspections revealed a stadium in a shocking state, with non-functional toilets, missing drain covers and overgrown thorny grass where a sports field once stood.
In the meantime, according to several sources on internet, President Cyril Ramaphosa is to deliver the keynote address of the commemoration of Human Rights Day on Saturday 21 March at the AR Abass Stadium.
On this McGluwa said the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has allocated yet another R10 million for last minute repairs to the controversial stadium, and the DA is questioning the scope and urgency of the emergency repairs now planned.
Communities deserve safe, functional sports facilities year-round, not last-minute repairs when national leaders are due to visit, he said.
Current state a matter of serious concern
A person, who wished not to be named, said that due to the state of the stadium in recent years, clubs had moved to other venues elsewhere in the city, resulting in extra travelling costs and transport arrangements. In some instances, it had even discouraged sports participation.
“The current state of the stadium remains a matter of serious concern for the department, as it directly affects our mandate to promote and develop community and school sport, and to ensure equitable access to safe, functional sporting facilities. The deterioration of certain infrastructure components has been compounded by prolonged maintenance challenges, as well as ongoing incidents of vandalism and theft, despite the provision of 24-hour security services at the facility,” said Conrad Fortune, communications manager of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in a response to a media enquiry.
“Targeted interventions are being pursued to address the identified challenges and to improve the overall condition of the infrastructure. In advancing this objective, the department has proactively engaged the Department of Public Works, together with the Sol Plaatje Municipality, to assist with clearing and improving the perimeter of AR Abass Stadium.”
During the 2024-’25 fiscal year, an amount of R10 million was earmarked for infrastructure development at the stadium. Due to unforeseen delays in the appointment of professional consultants and the subsequent finalisation of the required technical assessment report within the anticipated timeframe, implementation could not proceed as initially planned.
“In line with financial governance prescripts and budget cycle requirements, the department was therefore required to reprioritise the earmarked funds within the financial year and formally resubmit a request for funding allocation in a subsequent cycle,” Fortune said.
In her budget speech, Blennies-Magage also mentioned that the success of the Northern Cape Infrastructure Master Plan depends on rigorous contract management.
“Most projects overrun budget and timelines. It is not enough to allocate budgets; projects must be managed to be delivered: on specification, on time and on budget,” she said.
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