The City of Tshwane convened a meeting at the Mabopane Indoor Sports Centre to discuss the leasing of a portion of the remaining farm Mabopane 702-JR, which includes Odi Stadium, for mixed development purposes. Odi Stadium, a renowned multi-purpose venue situated in Mabopane, has historically served as a hub for football matches, boasting a capacity of 60,000 spectators. It notably served as the home ground for the Garankuwa United Football Club.
In November 2023, the City of Tshwane council engaged in discussions with Mabopane residents. During this meeting, it was resolved that the public would be actively involved in the renovation plans for the stadium. This decision aimed to allow residents to offer their insights and collaborate with relevant stakeholders regarding the leasing arrangements
The purpose of the meeting was to inform the community and stakeholders about the process involved in the rehabilitation or reconstruction of the Odi Stadium. Additionally, the meeting aimed to solicit input regarding proposed interventions from both the community and stakeholders.
Deputy Executive Mayor, Cllr Nasiphi Moya, stated that the proposal had been thoroughly explained, and the lease was approved by the council in November 2023. She elaborated on how the lease would operate should the community agree to it.
“The history of this project has caused a lot of frustration, resulting in the community expressing their discomfort and outright rejection of the proposed lease.”
“After the meeting concluded, there were proposals suggesting that we should reschedule another session. It was acknowledged that there may be ideas that were not fully explored during the discussion. As a result, we have committed to returning in a few weeks to hold another session with the community,” she said.
Odi Stadium boasts numerous facilities, including a soccer field, two changing rooms, an athletics track for field events, four sets of male and female restrooms, four kiosks, a control room, four ticket offices, and a VIP lounge with seating. However, the stadium has unfortunately become a hotspot for criminal activity.
Upon thorough evaluation of different options, including their advantages and drawbacks, the City is putting forward a proposal to lease the property housing the stadium for a maximum period of 80 years. This would entail an initial lease term of 50 years, with the possibility of extending it for another 30 years as permitted by relevant legislation. A key condition of the lease agreement would mandate the development of the property within 3 years of its approval.
A community member, Java Mfuxo, expressed disagreement with the proposal to lease the stadium. They cited a lack of clarity regarding how the stadium would function and what benefits the community stands to gain. Mfuxo emphasized that they would not provide approval for the leasing arrangement.
“This initiative is being driven by the DA and ActionSA municipality, while the Ward 22 councilor is a member of the ANC. When they mention concerns about the safety of the stadium, it instills fear in us. We’ve even instructed them to relay our message to the councilor that we reject the lease proposal. However, we anticipate having another meeting with them soon, and we hope to receive a clearer explanation,” he added.
The community was left outraged by the City’s proposed plans, and they are urging the City of Tshwane to prioritize addressing pressing issues such as repairing potholes and resolving water-related concerns.
They insist that the City must provide a clearer explanation of how the community will benefit from the proposed lease. Additionally, they request that funds be allocated to those currently maintaining the stadium.
