Plans by an Mdantsane church to take over a dilapidated multimillion rand boxing gymnasium in NU6 has caused an outcry in the boxing fraternity.The facility, built in 2008 to develop young boxing talent in the township, has over the years fallen into a state of disrepair.
Residents said they contacted Buffalo City Metro (BCM) and the provincial department of sports and recreation about the poor and deteriorating state of the building but claimed nothing came of it.
Back to Christ Ministries pastor Lerato Seyisi said he saw an opportunity to turn the neglected building into his second Mdantsane church.
Seyisi said they received permission from the Mdantsane Boxing Veterans’ Association and started renovating the building.
The gymnasium project was initiated by the association when they approached the national Department of Sports for a R4-million fund. However, only R2.5-million was granted for the facility.
Seyisi said they were looking at spending more than R45000 on fixing damage caused by homeless people and thieves who stole electricity cables, ceiling boards, doors, carpets and burglar gates.
The building, which comprises three offices, a kitchen, boardroom, showers and toilets and a big hall, will be used for church services and community charity work.
“When we saw that our church was growing in NU2 since when we started in August last year, we looked for another place to have as our second home.”
Seyisi said the church were involved in negotiations with Vuyolomzi Mtekwana, secretary of the boxing veterans’ association, for three months.
He said at first they did not want to hand the building over to the church.
“However, now we are happy and by November 16 we should be done with the renovations as we are preparing for a big crusade that will see people from all over the country coming here,” Seyisi said.
Mtekwana could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The move has caused an outrage within the boxing fraternity.
Boxing SA provincial manager Phakamile Jacobs said the church group could not occupy the building because they had only consulted with Mtekwana. “There is no church that will occupy that building.
“We cannot allow that because if we do, that means those people will own that building forever.
“The metro clearly stated that they would not refund anyone who conducted renovation to the building,” Jacobs said.
The metro and the provincial department of sports were also not aware of the church take over.
Mdantsane boxing veterans association’s chairman advocate Mava Malla said: “We were the ones who went to the national department and asked for R4-million for the building and anyone who wants to rent out the place would have to go through us, the municipality and the department of sports before that decision is be taken.”
Jacobs said after talking to Mtekwana, a meeting was scheduled to resolve the confusion. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Outrage as church takes over boxing gym
Residents said they contacted Buffalo City Metro (BCM) and the provincial department of sports and recreation about the poor and deteriorating state of the building but claimed nothing came of it.
Back to Christ Ministries pastor Lerato Seyisi said he saw an opportunity to turn the neglected building into his second Mdantsane church.
Seyisi said they received permission from the Mdantsane Boxing Veterans’ Association and started renovating the building.
The gymnasium project was initiated by the association when they approached the national Department of Sports for a R4-million fund. However, only R2.5-million was granted for the facility.
Seyisi said they were looking at spending more than R45000 on fixing damage caused by homeless people and thieves who stole electricity cables, ceiling boards, doors, carpets and burglar gates.
The building, which comprises three offices, a kitchen, boardroom, showers and toilets and a big hall, will be used for church services and community charity work.
“When we saw that our church was growing in NU2 since when we started in August last year, we looked for another place to have as our second home.”
Seyisi said the church were involved in negotiations with Vuyolomzi Mtekwana, secretary of the boxing veterans’ association, for three months.
He said at first they did not want to hand the building over to the church.
“However, now we are happy and by November 16 we should be done with the renovations as we are preparing for a big crusade that will see people from all over the country coming here,” Seyisi said.
Mtekwana could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The move has caused an outrage within the boxing fraternity.
Boxing SA provincial manager Phakamile Jacobs said the church group could not occupy the building because they had only consulted with Mtekwana. “There is no church that will occupy that building.
“We cannot allow that because if we do, that means those people will own that building forever.
“The metro clearly stated that they would not refund anyone who conducted renovation to the building,” Jacobs said.
The metro and the provincial department of sports were also not aware of the church take over.
Mdantsane boxing veterans association’s chairman advocate Mava Malla said: “We were the ones who went to the national department and asked for R4-million for the building and anyone who wants to rent out the place would have to go through us, the municipality and the department of sports before that decision is be taken.”
Jacobs said after talking to Mtekwana, a meeting was scheduled to resolve the confusion. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos