The Centerton Sports Field in Hankey underwent a R1 million upgrade, with the revamped facility officially opened on October 16.
The transformation of this crucial community facility has been made possible through a successful partnership between Amandla Omoya Trust and Kouga Municipality, marking a significant investment in the region’s socio-economic development.
Amandla Omoya Trust is a Community Trust situated around Jeffreys Bay, in the Eastern Cape, and is associated with the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm.
Joy Lange, Special Project Development Officer, said that the Trust has, out of its research conducted in 2016/17, identified focus areas to support ongoing socio-economic development in the area.
The partnership was then forged with the Community-Based Organisations and Small Enterprise Businesses that operate in the areas.
“The aim is to boost social and economic development and to assist in the advancement of the disadvantaged communities within a 50km radius from the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm,” said Lange.
“The Trust supports local community and economic development initiatives through grant-making and capacity-building of local organisations in the towns of Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, Hankey, Patensie, Loerieheuwel and Thornhill.”
Lange said that the decision to support the revamp of the Centerton Sports Field in Hankey arose from the Trust Community Engagement held in 2022.
She said that during this engagement, the community expressed the need for the restoration of the sports field, allowing young people to participate in competitive sporting activities with dignity.
She said that in response, the Trust allocated R1 million towards the project, despite quotes exceeding this amount.
To ensure the project’s success, the Trust partnered with the Kouga Municipality, which contributed plant equipment such as TLBs, graders, rollers, an irrigation system and skilled professionals.
Lange said that this partnership helped reduce project costs while delivering the upgraded sports field to the Hankey community.
“The Trust, in collaboration with the Kouga Municipality, is proud to announce the official handover of the Centerton Sports Field back to the Kouga Municipality. This milestone represents our joint commitment to fulfilling the needs of the community appropriately and inclusively,” said Lange.
The Centerton neighbourhood, along with its soccer, cricket, and netball players, were invited to join in the celebration. Ward councillor, Vuyani Zana, noted that past municipal renovations of the sports field were short-lived due to vandalism.
To prevent recurrence, the community’s young sports enthusiasts were enlisted to participate in gardening and wall reconstruction efforts.
“Since people from the community were involved in this project, we believe that the chances of it being vandalised again are low. People do not vandalise what they have contributed to,” said Zana.
Highlighting Hankey’s pressing socio-economic issues, particularly substance abuse, he expressed gratitude for the revamped sports field, providing a positive outlet for youth through various sporting activities.
Zana recommended that players utilise community open fields for practice sessions and reserve the sports field for official matches.
He also emphasised the municipality’s crucial role as caretakers of the facility, ensuring its proper maintenance and upkeep.
Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, expressed his excitement at the completion of the project.
“Sport has the power to unite and uplift communities. With this upgrade, our youth can compete with dignity and pride, and I have no doubt that this field will inspire the next generation of champions.
“We are proud to have partnered with the Amandla Omoya Trust to deliver this facility that will benefit generations to come.”
