FRUSTRATION swept through the Schauderville community on January 20 as residents, stakeholders, and members of the Moore Dyke Project Steering Committee gathered to protest ongoing delays in the R54 million upgrade of the local sports field.
The much-anticipated project, overseen by the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) on behalf of the municipality, has been stalled for six months due to a dispute between MBDA and the contractor.
The delay has led to the eviction of local clubs and community groups, including churches that used the facility for services, leaving them without a place to convene.
This has prompted community leaders to take action, seeking not just answers but a resolution to the stalemate that has brought progress to a standstill.
Rudi Swarts, the Chairperson of the Moore Dyke Project Steering Committee, voiced the community’s concerns. “This project should have been completed by now, but instead, everything is at a halt. Our community clubs have nowhere to train, and even churches that use the facility have been evicted. The lack of progress is disappointing, and we can’t continue to stand by while our questions remain unanswered.”
Swarts said the protest on Monday symbolised a collective demand for transparency and swift action.
Nicole Klokow, MBDA Marketing, Communications, and Investment Promotion Manager, commented on the situation, saying, “The delay is due to a contractor dispute. Currently, internal processes are being followed to reach a resolution.”
However, when pressed for more details, she added, “There is nothing that I can immediately add, just to emphasise that the project is receiving the necessary attention and consideration.”
Samantha Cornelius, Secretary of the Project Steering Committee, Facility Management Committee, and Vice Chairperson of Hotspurs Football Club, expressed the broader impact of the delayed project.
“All teams had to vacate the facility and find alternative venues, which are limited and often inadequate. We had to settle for facilities lacking proper lighting and equipment, leading to both soccer clubs being relegated due to poor performance. Our players are despondent, and some have left the club.”
Cornelius further highlighted the economic and safety concerns caused by the displacement, noting, “Travelling to alternative venues has been costly for players and parents. Safety is a major concern as juniors walk to Adcock, crossing busy roads and returning in the dark. The lack of a stable facility increases the risk of idleness, potentially leading to issues like substance abuse and gang activity.”
Adding to the community’s concerns, she shared, “We have approximately 400 members across the clubs and are in the process of expanding our girls’ teams. Without a proper facility, this growth is not possible. The facility also generates revenue through stalls at games, a source of income we no longer have.”
Cornelius detailed past promises of facility upgrades, stating, “The contractor took the site in April 2022, with work supposedly finishing by May 2024. Though initially ahead of schedule, delays due to disagreements, payment issues, and poor weather pushed the completion date further away.”
The community is urging a prompt response and action from the MBDA and municipality, demanding accountability for the inconvenience and support for a stable training ground.
Swarts added, “This is a plea that we are crying out for help, especially for the minister to come and intervene. We’re tired of the lip service; we’re tired of seeing different politicians and officials coming to take pictures here when things are going fine but are silent when actual work needs to happen.
“As a community, we are proud of this area, and we know something good can be produced here, and we can protect it, but we are not given the support. That project is now being vandalised, and even more money will be needed to replace certain things like the grass and other stolen goods. We’ve reported this multiple times but it’s fallen on deaf ears.”
The MBDA’s Klokow concluded, “We can add that the project consists of various components that will result in the overall upgrading of the Moore Dyke Sports fields. For the period (majority of July – December 2024 to date) there were no works on site.
“The project is currently on hold due to a contractual dispute by the contractor. We are taking the issue to arbitration. An independent Quantity Surveyor will be brought in to remeasure the work, as this is the main point of the dispute.”
