Dumisani Dube

GIVEN GREEN LIGHT: Enos Mafokate, owner of a horseriding centre at the Elkah Stadium in Rockville, has denied that its a health hazard, saying health inspectors had given it the all-clear two weeks ago. Picture: Dumisani Dube

ALI MPHAKI

THE first equestrian centre in Soweto has run into hurdles.

Opened amid great fanfare in September 2007 at the Elkah Stadium grounds in Rockville, the centre has begun to irk some of the nearby residents, who will be happy the see the back of the horses.

The centre is the brainchild of Enos Mafokate, the first African to break into the elite sport of horseriding.

“We are sick and tired of these horses. Take them anywhere because we do not want them here,” complained Mighty Motswene, 78, who lives opposite the centre.

Nkele Mabele, 81, agreed, adding that residents no longer enjoy the comfort of their homes because of the flies she claims the horses attract.

“We are under siege,” she said. “We can no longer open our front doors or our windows because of the flies.”

Other residents to whom The Star spoke complained about the offensive smell of horse dung, the influx of rodents in the area, potential diseases from the horses, and the deteriorating state of the “once most beautiful” Elkah Stadium.

Motswene added that residents would be drafting a petition to have the centre removed from the Elkah Stadium.

He said the stadium precinct had become a haven for criminals, who hide in the long, uncut grass.

“A few weeks back we were told our children must avoid coming anywhere near the horses as they were suffering from a certain disease. What we would like to know is where should our children play.

“Life in Rockville was fine until the arrival of these horses. Rockville has become one of the dirtiest suburb in Soweto.

“This is totally unacceptable, and the authorities must realise we are not horsing around,” said Motswene.

Speaking from Cape Town, where he is attending a showjumping event, Mafokate denied that the centre was a health hazard and insisted it was being run professionally.

“Two weeks ago the centre was visited by health inspectors, and it was given a clean bill of health. I just think it is two or three people who do not want us here, because they are jealous,” he said.

Mafokate said that in the five years they have been operating, they had been able to take about 700 children on various horseriding courses.