Whilst the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has announced the opening of municipal swimming pools for the 2025/26 summer season, communities are spending another summer with dilapidated facilities as promised upgrades remain stalled.
Last week, the municipality announced that seven outdoor pools in Gqeberha — Gelvandale, Zwide, Varsvlei, New Brighton, Westering (James Kleynhans), Rosedale, Motherwell and Rivera (Malabar) — will operate daily from 16 December 2025 through 31 March 2026, with hours from 10:00 to 18:00. The Newton Park Indoor Pool will maintain extended hours from 06:00 to 20:00.
The municipality indicated that they will deploy 45 lifeguards, 11 ticket office attendants and 25 cleaners to ensure patron safety across all facilities. Public security measures include contracted services and the proposed deployment of EPWP security personnel for crowd control.
“This approach allows us to balance budget constraints, safety requirements and community access, whilst ensuring that our facilities remain well-managed and compliant with operational standards,” said Councillor Neville Higgins, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
Executive Mayor Councillor Babalwa Lobishe expressed the importance of safe recreational spaces for children during the holidays. “We need safe spaces and places for our children to enjoy the summer holidays. We are also taking our Learn to Swim programmes seriously, as they provide our children with an important life skill,” she said.
Schauderville swimming pool
However, controversy continues to surround the Schauderville Swimming Pool. In May, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure approved the facility’s relocation following a Democratic Alliance motion citing escalating crime, illegal dumping and gang violence in the area.
“While we appreciate the decision to relocate the pool, we remain vigilant to ensure that the process is executed efficiently and that the Schauderville community regains access to safe recreational facilities without undue delay,” stated the DA Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson, Yusuf Cassim.
In May, Cassim welcomed a formal response from the Public Works Minister, Dean MacPherson, following an oversight visit to the derelict Schauderville swimming pool and proposed relocation site.
“For years, this abandoned pool has been a hotspot for crime, illegal dumping and gang activity — posing real danger to residents, especially children,” Cassim said at the time.
“We’ve fought for its upgrade or relocation. After identifying a safer, more accessible site across from the Mooredyke Sports Precinct,” Cassim added.
Community frustration grows
Julian Julies, president of the 1812 movement and a resident, expressed frustration over how children are left idle every summer with empty promises.
“The pool used to be in good condition prior to 2018,” he said. “But the security services at the premises were suspended, so the facility was slowly stripped and vandalised.”
Julies said that in May, officials visited the site and residents were told the pool would be moved to Erf 4244 opposite Mooredyke, but that site was allegedly earmarked for a housing project.
“Our question is what is happening to the old pool — it is now being used for drugs and alcohol,” he shared. “There was no timeline given. The councillor wrote a letter to the municipality about the premises and the community is waiting for feedback. We want our pool where it used to be at the centre point. We don’t want relocations.”
Ward 11 elected committee member Christopher Moss echoed these concerns, saying: “According to the councillor, the project is on hold. They need to extend the road first, then they will start with the pool,” he shared.
“But another conflicting story is that they will relocate the pool. Another summer will come and go. We want the space to be a safe space for the kids to learn to swim. It must be rebuilt and upgraded. We want answers and a timeframe.”
The municipality acknowledged that budget constraints prevent the refurbishment of all pools within a single financial year, with some facilities remaining closed due to repair and maintenance requirements.
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