Massive boost for E Cape stadium

The National Lotteries Commission and provincial government will pump millions into improving Mthatha stadium and build a new smaller multi-purpose stadium.

Masualle and Majodina raised their concerns about the state of the current stadium, saying it was badly vandalised with copper stolen from the toilets and the entrances and ticket office were damaged.

KSD technical services director Zanemvula Ngovela said the stadium at present had a capacityof 15000 and after completion would be able to hold 21000 spectators.

Ngovela said the second stadium would have a multi-purpose pitch for rugby, soccer, cricket and athletics.

Three standalone practice pitches and a high performance centre will be built in the sports precinct.

Majodina said government needed R750-million to complete the project including the finalisation of the existing structure.

“We aim at concluding the whole project within a period of five years,” said Majodina.

Ngovela said work that needed to be done in line with Fifa requirements included installing proper fencing, goal posts, a generator, fixing of the ticket booth, building of VIP and media offices, general maintenance of the existing buildings and a police operations centre.

Masualle also met with chamber of mines bosses at the Mthatha airport to discuss, among other things, the social investment undertaken by various mining companies in the province.

More than R45-million has been invested in building a school, clinic and for training of family members of mine workers.

Government spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the skills development initiative involved training mine workers’ families in crop and livestock farming. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za / abongilem@dispatch.co.za