Cattle are grazing the grass at the neglected Inkosi Nkanyiso Sports Field in the remote Nhlwathi Village in the Big 5 Hlabisa municipality.
Millions of taxpayers’ rands were spent on its construction, only for it to fall into disrepair.
The sports field, named after a local leader, has not been used for years. Changing rooms have been stripped of windows and doors, the roof has caved in, and the sports field has become a grazing ground.
Queen Thandeka maNkosi Mdletshe of the Mdletshe clan voiced her disappointment about the sports ground to Scrolla.Africa.
“It’s painful to see this once-great facility, named after my husband, deteriorate like this. No one seems to care,” she said.
“The field is now overrun with cattle and other livestock. Thankfully, the municipality has announced a R15-million project to rebuild it.”
Queen Thandeka said there was a lack of community involvement in such projects after they were completed.
“The biggest problem is that the government and municipalities don’t involve traditional leaders in overseeing maintenance after these projects are finished,” she said.
However, the Queen and the community are optimistic about the reconstruction of the facility, which will cater for soccer, rugby, tennis and basketball.
“We’re overjoyed at the news – it’s like an answered prayer,” she said.
“Developing our rural areas is crucial to keeping young people from seeking jobs in big cities.”
Nolubalalo Mchunu, 16, sees the project as a positive development.
“Rebuilding the Inkosi Nkanyiso Sports Field is fantastic! We’ll finally have access to sports like rugby and soccer, which are usually only found in previously white areas.”
The mayor of the Big 5 Hlabisa municipality, Comfort Khumalo, promised that reconstruction would take only three months and create job opportunities in the community.
Pictured above: Queen Thandeka maNkomo Mdletshe speaking at the sports field named after her husband Inkosi Nkanyiso of the Mdletshe clan.
Image source: Celani Sikhakhane
