Hundreds of Kraaifontein school pupils were ecstatic on Saturday when a multimillion-rand sports facility was opened in an area wracked by gangsterism and other problems.
The facility, which forms part of a government programme known as Mass participation; Opportunity and access; Development and growth (MOD), was opened on the grounds of the Bernadino Heights High School.
It is worth more than R28 million and will make sport and recreational activities, including cricket and netball, accessible to pupils.
It includes an athletics track, rugby field, tennis court and hockey field.
Cavalleria, Parkdene and Watsonia primary schools and the Bernadino Heights and Scottsdene high schools will benefit from the facility.
Olona Mayisane, 14, headgirl at the Cavalleria Primary School, said children in the area were exposed to crime and sometimes witnessed horrific incidents, including people being killed.
“These (sporting activities) will help us stay out of the streets because we will now be able to occupy our time with something positive,” she said.
“Around here people are shot and killed every day (and) we have become accustomed to it. It is normal for us children to watch a person die just like that.”
Mayisane also said the facilities would encourage pupils to participate in sporting events.
Bernadino Heights High School principal Henry Alexander said the facilities would help the children of the Scottsdene steer clear of drugs and gangsterism.
“It will also mean that the kids will now have some positive activities in which to engage instead of wandering in the streets after school hours. Children in this area did not previously have these opportunities and we are thankful for this world-class facility which means we can develop our kids to their full potential,” he said.
Yesterday Premier Helen Zille, who was at the opening of the facility, said other gang-hit areas also benefited from the programme. “We have (similar) centres in all areas which are gang-ridden.”
While most residents said yesterday they were pleased with the facility, ANC members previously snubbed the initiative, saying that the sporting centres were not a flagship programme but rather resembled a sinking ship.
Sunday Argus