A Zwelitsha man has turned an abandoned park, that has been a haven for criminals, into a children’s playground to provide entertainment in the township and surrounding villages.
Ntuthuzelo Mbesane’s Baby Swag Entertainment area in Zone 4 creates a fantasy world of sights, sounds and play equipment designed for children of various ages.
The playground has jumping castles, quad bikes and toy cars.
Mbesane, 36, left his job as an operations manager at an Eastern Cape education institute to start the project in 2016 after noticing the lack of entertainment areas for rural and township children. The park also has a car wash and braai area for adults.
“This is becoming a recreational area where people can bring their kids. This place allows kids to play and to interact with their parents as well.”
He said the playground also offered a perfect place to host birthday parties for all ages, as well as opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
“Kids can play in a safe environment away from dangerous places around the township. We also invite vendors to come and sell their products here, so that the community can benefit as well.
“We have a social responsibility [programme] where we try to groom other entrepreneurs.”
To date, Mbesane has 15 toy cars which parents can hire for R10 a day.
“I bought a toy car for my son in Johannesburg but airport authorities would not let me pass through with it, because of the battery, so I gave it to my son to play with, while I was thinking of how I would get the car to the Eastern Cape. I was surprised to see how people admired him and his toy and wanting to take pictures.
“Those were people who are used to big toys and I thought of how much more it would be for rural and township people.”
Mbesane has employed eight people from the community for his project.
He said ward councillor Sindiswa Sikepe had played a pivotal role in acquiring the land for the project. Parents have applauded Mbesane for his idea.
Zukiswa Mbweu said this had become the perfect spot to send her two children, aged two and 12, on weekends.
“I had my younger child’s birthday party there. The oldest enjoys driving the cars and even we adults like spending time there watching our kids play while we braai. It is going to benefit the community. There will be fewer kids roaming the streets and fewer crime incidents in Zwelitsha.”
Sikepe said the municipality had offered the land to Mbesane after it became a haven for criminals.
“The land belongs to the municipality and there were rondavels there donated by a Dutch company but they got vandalised over the years, so we decided to give it to Nthuthuzelo because he is bringing change to the community and has also created jobs for the people of that area,” she said.
bhongoj@tisoblackstar.co.za
Vacant land in Zwelitsha turned into play area
Image: ALAN EASON
A Zwelitsha man has turned an abandoned park, that has been a haven for criminals, into a children’s playground to provide entertainment in the township and surrounding villages.
Ntuthuzelo Mbesane’s Baby Swag Entertainment area in Zone 4 creates a fantasy world of sights, sounds and play equipment designed for children of various ages.
The playground has jumping castles, quad bikes and toy cars.
Mbesane, 36, left his job as an operations manager at an Eastern Cape education institute to start the project in 2016 after noticing the lack of entertainment areas for rural and township children. The park also has a car wash and braai area for adults.
“This is becoming a recreational area where people can bring their kids. This place allows kids to play and to interact with their parents as well.”
He said the playground also offered a perfect place to host birthday parties for all ages, as well as opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
“Kids can play in a safe environment away from dangerous places around the township. We also invite vendors to come and sell their products here, so that the community can benefit as well.
“We have a social responsibility [programme] where we try to groom other entrepreneurs.”
To date, Mbesane has 15 toy cars which parents can hire for R10 a day.
“I bought a toy car for my son in Johannesburg but airport authorities would not let me pass through with it, because of the battery, so I gave it to my son to play with, while I was thinking of how I would get the car to the Eastern Cape. I was surprised to see how people admired him and his toy and wanting to take pictures.
“Those were people who are used to big toys and I thought of how much more it would be for rural and township people.”
Mbesane has employed eight people from the community for his project.
He said ward councillor Sindiswa Sikepe had played a pivotal role in acquiring the land for the project. Parents have applauded Mbesane for his idea.
Zukiswa Mbweu said this had become the perfect spot to send her two children, aged two and 12, on weekends.
“I had my younger child’s birthday party there. The oldest enjoys driving the cars and even we adults like spending time there watching our kids play while we braai. It is going to benefit the community. There will be fewer kids roaming the streets and fewer crime incidents in Zwelitsha.”
Sikepe said the municipality had offered the land to Mbesane after it became a haven for criminals.
“The land belongs to the municipality and there were rondavels there donated by a Dutch company but they got vandalised over the years, so we decided to give it to Nthuthuzelo because he is bringing change to the community and has also created jobs for the people of that area,” she said.
bhongoj@tisoblackstar.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