More sport means less mischief, better health and a more united community.
The days of playing in the mud are over for KwaDukuza youth thanks to the opening of a state-of-the art indoor sport centre.
The R1.2 million indoor centre in Nkobongo situated within the KwaDukuza municipality forms part of government’s Comprehensive Rural Development Programme that aims to tackle issues such as underdevelopment, food security, unemployment, poverty and other social ills such as drugs.
The indoor centre situated in the KwaDukuza Municipality has been built to accommodate a variety of sporting codes, including netball, basketball and volleyball.
The KwaDukuza Municipality deputy mayor, Dolly Govender, said sport plays a huge role in bringing communities together, developing social capital and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.
In addition, exercise combats non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, high blood pressure and some cancers.
“Health is not just about avoiding disease. It is also about physical, mental and social wellbeing. When a healthy lifestyle is adopted, a more positive role model is provided for other people in the family. Let us use this facility to achieve just that,” she said.
Netball coach Sisanda Shangase said the facility has brought hope to KwaDukuza. She said that the community had a netball team once before, but a lack of facilities meant that in wet or muddy conditions, attendance was poor and eventually, the team stopped practicing.
The chairperson of the municipality’s youth, sports and gender portfolio, John Phahla, said the community must play a central role in safeguarding the centre and encouraging the youth to participate in sport and, if they are good enough, to consider becoming a professional sportsperson.
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