Boipelo Mere
Two entrepreneurs, Thabiso Mogorosi and Ivor LeAndre Johnson from Ivory Park informal settlement in Roodepan, Kimberley, decided to uplift their community by converting an illegal dumping site into a sports field.
Ivory Park is situated not far from a railway line. The children erected makeshift soccer poles between the railway line, the dumping area and their homes.
The community consists of about 1000 shacks and is facing service delivery challenges, although, according to residents, it was established 20 years ago and is incorporated into Ward 29.
Their woes include the Sol Plaatje Municipality not rendering refuse removal service in the area. The residents’ request to be provided with a Skippy Bin fell on deaf ears. Hence, the illegal dumping and burning of rubbish. Burning rubbish on the spot is endangering the electricity poles, making it hazardous to the community.
Residents installed their own taps in the yard by connecting to any nearby communal tap. The municipality also erected one toilet that caters for five families, prompting most households to dig their own toilets in their yards.
A group of women expressed their dissatisfaction and said that it is unhygienic for five families to depend on one pit toilet. They added that some of the residents refuse to pay for services because they don’t understand what they are required to pay for.
“Why should we pay, when we dug our own toilets and the municipal truck never comes here to collect our rubbish?
“We have been begging more than five Ward Councilors for a Skipie Bin, but they only make promises to get our votes.
“We can’t blame anyone who burns the rubbish, but we try to monitor most of the time. We don’t have a choice but to burn the rubbish because we are minimising rats and snakes from finding their way into our homes,” said the women, who do not want to be identified.
They also indicated that the community only received electricity about five years ago.
Hence, the residents welcome and support the initiative of putting the piece of land to good use.
Build-up activities are underway towards their planned Mandela Day Sports Event on 25 July. On Wednesday, 22 July Onkabetse Civils & Mining assisted them with a grader to clear the illegal dumping site.
The organisers collaborated with Provincial Library Services, Netball Northern Cape and the Frances Baard District Sport, Arts and Culture Office.
Mogorosi said the initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when communities, businesses and stakeholders work together.
“Our vision extends beyond hosting sports events. We want to create a permanent space where young people can play, learn, develop their talents, and stay away from drugs, crime, and other social challenges,” he highlighted.
“We are also working to secure additional sponsors and partners as the initiative grows.
We look forward to welcoming everyone to our main Mandela Day event on 25 July, as we continue building a safer, healthier, and more active community for the children of Ivory Park. Together, we are turning hope into action.”
Mogorosi explained that the portion has been surveyed for business purposes and hopes it will be utilised accordingly, but until then. The young ones will put it into use.
The Sol Plaatje municipal Spokesperson Thabo Mothibi encouraged the residents to contact their ward Councillor for clarity on the land use processes and land alienation.
“Councillors hold ward meetings, and details are provided at such meetings.
“Also, we hold ward based Intergrated Development Plan meetings wherein we provide responses, and our Property Unit can also be approached to provide clarity,” said Mothibi.
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