Municipality promises revitalisation of Bob van Reenen Stadium – but residents remain sceptical
• Also read: From pride to ruin: No maintenance, no action at Bob van Reenen Stadium
'It is truly shameful that infrastructure has got to the point of going backwards. This was once a proud sports ground in Krugersdorp and the West Rand,' he said, adding that the fire could have spread to the tartan track.
Meanwhile, the Mogale City Local Municipality has yet to respond to media inquiries about the fire, but in the recent State of the City Address, the mayor highlighted plans to revitalise the stadium.
• Also read: 'It was packed to the brim': Residents mourn the glory days of Bob
'Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are being leveraged to unlock investments and accelerate project delivery. Notable initiatives include the revitalisation of Bob van Reenen Sports Precinct,' Mayor Lucky Sele said.
However, not everyone is convinced.
'They were allowed to sell that stadium, but they refused because they all wanted to fill their pockets. Sies maan,' commented Tsholofelo Phatlhane on social media.
• Also read: Bob and game reserve to be revived, Krugersdorp mayor says in SOCA
As redevelopment plans are announced, many residents are holding their breath, uncertain whether the once iconic stadium can ever return to its former glory.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
02-08-2025
- The Citizen
Hyde Park sees real progress in War on Potholes
Just weeks after launching the City of Johannesburg's ambitious War on Potholes campaign, Executive Mayor Dada Morero visited Ward 90, on August 1, to personally inspect progress on road repairs and infrastructure upgrades. Read more: Bumpy ride on 9th Road, even though potholes were repaired Accompanied by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) team and Ward 90 councillor Martin Williams, Morero reaffirmed the city's commitment to improving roads and restoring essential services across all regions. Launched on July 10, the War on Potholes initiative targets pothole repairs and road resurfacing, starting in Ward 90 and expanding to all 135 wards across Johannesburg within the current financial year. The campaign forms part of Morero's broader promise to prioritise infrastructure, improve mobility, and restore dignity in line with his 2025 State of the City Address. 'We are here in Hyde Park, once again in Ward 90. We made a commitment that we will be dealing with all the potholes, where possible. We'll do resurfacing and restoring storm water systems. So, we're here to assess the progress that we've made. 'The city is at work, and will continue to restore the roads, storm water systems, and traffic lights in your areas. I hope it will be better for the residents, and they will have better roads.' The inspection revealed significant resurfacing progress in Hyde Park and surrounding areas of Region B, with storm water restoration and road patching still underway. Morero's visit was met with appreciation from Williams. 'We're very grateful for the progress made since your last visit. This is an interim inspection and it's going very, very well. We've seen quite a bit of resurfacing and pothole work. This particular area [corner of Christopherson Road and Hurlingham Road] is mainly a storm water repair site, and it's still underway, but we're very satisfied so far. 'We're very happy for the attention that's finally being shown to Region B. We needed a lot done and now it's being done.' @caxtonjoburgnorth Just weeks after launching the City's innovative War on Potholes initiative, Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero returns to Ward 90 in Hyde Park to assess the tangible outcomes of this important infrastructure project, with repairs of storm water drains and road resurfacing underway at the intersection of Christopherson Road and Hurlingham Road. #Ward90 #Sandton ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North Morero added: 'The War on Potholes is being hailed as a key step towards making Johannesburg a safer, more accessible city for all, aiming to reduce road hazards, enhance daily commuting, and renew public confidence in local governance.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- The Citizen
Relief for residents as Ekurhuleni suspends fixed power tariff
City of Ekurhuleni executive mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has announced the immediate suspension of the city's controversial fixed electricity tariff charge following community concerns and recent protests in Thembisa. The R126 (including VAT) fixed charge, introduced for the 2025/2026 financial year in line with National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) directives, was intended to support infrastructure maintenance and sustainable electricity supply. However, it sparked discontent among residents, leading to calls for its removal. READ: CoE corrects electricity tariff error, refund process in place Mayor Xhakaza confirmed that the suspension is pending urgent council endorsement and is intended to facilitate 'comprehensive, inclusive, and orderly engagement' with residents on the matter. The city has started preparations to implement the suspension within its billing system to ensure the immediate cessation of the fixed charge. The mayor emphasised the city's commitment to addressing legitimate community concerns while cautioning against violence and criminality during protests. 'The municipality remains fully committed to engaging robustly with residents regarding electricity tariffs and broader service delivery concerns; however, acts of violence, vandalism, and criminality will not be tolerated,' said Xhakaza. READ: 'Tired of empty promises': Residents protest over tariff hikes Avoiding another 2022 Thembisa scenario Xhakaza acknowledged the 2022 violent unrest in Thembisa, which led to significant financial losses, damage to infrastructure, and the tragic loss of life, noting that while many grievances were legitimate, the events were overshadowed by criminal activity. The suspension aims to prevent a repeat of such incidents while allowing structured discussions to address residents' concerns. Social relief measures rolled out In addition to suspending the fixed charge, the City of Ekurhuleni has rolled out a series of social relief measures in alignment with the commitments made during the 2025 State of the City Address. These include: Revised property value thresholds to enable more vulnerable households to access municipal support. A Debt Rehabilitation Scheme offering debt write-offs for qualifying over-indebted residents. Expanded indigent support to broaden access to free basic services for more residents in financial distress. Waivers of service connection charges for residents affected by cable theft. A three-month tampering charges waiver (July to September 2025) to allow residents to regularise municipal connections without penalties. READ: Thembisa residents reject new electricity tariffs, demand action 'These interventions reflect our commitment to social justice, equitable service delivery, and meaningful support for our residents, particularly those most impacted by prevailing economic conditions,' Xhakaza said. Call for calm and participation The city has called on residents to remain calm and to engage peacefully during the upcoming consultations, reaffirming its commitment to transparent and accountable leadership while working towards a fair and sustainable solution for all residents of Ekurhuleni. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- The Citizen
Municipality promises revitalisation of Bob van Reenen Stadium – but residents remain sceptical
The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Jaco Mulder, visited the scene of the fire at Bob van Reenen Stadium on July 13 and voiced concern over the facility's deteriorating state. • Also read: From pride to ruin: No maintenance, no action at Bob van Reenen Stadium 'It is truly shameful that infrastructure has got to the point of going backwards. This was once a proud sports ground in Krugersdorp and the West Rand,' he said, adding that the fire could have spread to the tartan track. Meanwhile, the Mogale City Local Municipality has yet to respond to media inquiries about the fire, but in the recent State of the City Address, the mayor highlighted plans to revitalise the stadium. • Also read: 'It was packed to the brim': Residents mourn the glory days of Bob 'Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are being leveraged to unlock investments and accelerate project delivery. Notable initiatives include the revitalisation of Bob van Reenen Sports Precinct,' Mayor Lucky Sele said. However, not everyone is convinced. 'They were allowed to sell that stadium, but they refused because they all wanted to fill their pockets. Sies maan,' commented Tsholofelo Phatlhane on social media. • Also read: Bob and game reserve to be revived, Krugersdorp mayor says in SOCA As redevelopment plans are announced, many residents are holding their breath, uncertain whether the once iconic stadium can ever return to its former glory. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
