Latest news with #R184m
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Limpopo softball community welcomes progress on long-delayed stadium
POLOKWANE – The recent announcement of R184m in additional funding for the completion of the international softball stadium in the city has been welcomed by the local softball community, although concerns remain over previous delays and rising costs. Read more: Polokwane Softball Stadium gets R184m boost after years of delays Spokesperson for the Limpopo Softball Association (LSA), Moyahabo Mabeba expressed optimism that the funding will allow construction to proceed without further setbacks. 'The continuous delays in completing this facility have deprived both former and current athletes of the chance to compete in an international-standard ballpark,' Mabeba said. He noted that the province has missed out on hosting key events such as the annual national provincial championships, African World Cup qualifiers, masters tournaments, and other important league fixtures due to the stadium's incomplete state. 'We are optimistic that the money will be used appropriately, avoiding any contractual conflicts that could slow progress,' he said. The funding comes as part of a joint initiative by the Polokwane Municipal Council and the Department of Sport. According to Mantlako Sebaka, the municipality's sport and recreation manager, the stadium is expected to be completed by early next year. The DA has voiced opposition to the new injection of money, pointing out that an initial R69m had already been allocated during the 2019/20 financial year. You might also want to read: DA opposes additional R184m funding for Polokwane Softball Stadium In 2023, the DA criticised the municipality's co-funding of over R90m, warning that it could negatively affect other essential infrastructure projects financed through the Integrated Urban Development Grant. These include road upgrades, waste transfer stations, electrical infrastructure and the development of other rural sports facilities. The project has encountered a range of obstacles over the years, including vandalism, interference by local business forums, Covid-19 disruptions, and financial difficulties. DA Polokwane leader Jacques Joubert described the project as overly ambitious and costly, adding that the estimated cost to complete it as of 2023 stood at over R251m. Sebaka confirmed that the current phase of work focuses on completing external works, the grandstand, mechanical and electrical installations and the roofing. Meanwhile, Joubert said the DA is calling for the Municipal Public Accounts Committee to investigate the project, citing potential poor planning and financial mismanagement. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
DA opposes additional R184m funding for Polokwane Softball Stadium
Quick read The DA in Polokwane has opposed an additional R184 million allocation to complete the international softball stadium. The project is jointly funded by the municipality and the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. R69 million has already been spent since the stadium's initial approval in the 2019/20 financial year. The DA says co-funding the project will strain other capital projects funded through the Integrated Urban Development Grant. Projects at risk include roads, waste facilities, electrical upgrades, and rural sports infrastructure. Delays have been caused by vandalism, COVID-19, business forum disruptions, and cash flow problems. Full story below Full story POLOKWANE – The DA in Polokwane has voiced its opposition to the additional R184m in funding allocated for the completion of the Polokwane Softball Stadium. Read more: Polokwane Softball Stadium gets R184m boost after years of delays The municipality confirmed last week that the municipal council and the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture have pooled resources to finalise the long-delayed project, with completion anticipated in early 2026. According to municipal spokesperson Mantlako Sebaka, the stadium has already cost the municipality R69m approved during the 2019/20 financial year. In 2023, the DA said it actively opposed the municipality's co-funding of over R90m, warning that the expenditure would affect other capital projects funded through the Integrated Urban Development Grant. These projects include road upgrades, waste transfer stations, electrical infrastructure, and the development of rural sports facilities. DA councillor Jacques Joubert reiterated the party's stance, saying the project has been plagued by challenges, including vandalism, business forum stoppages, Covid-19 delays, and cash flow issues. He added that in 2023, the projected cost of completing the stadium was estimated at over R251m, which the party viewed as unrealistic for the municipality's financial capacity. Sebaka said the current project scope includes the completion of general external works, the grandstand, mechanical and electrical installations, and the roof. Joubert added that the DA has requested the Municipal Public Accounts Committee to investigate possible poor planning and financial mismanagement related to the project. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Polokwane Softball Stadium gets R184m boost after years of delays
Polokwane Softball Stadium gets R184m boost after years of delays Quick read Polokwane's long-delayed international softball stadium project is back on track after receiving R184 million in new funding. The funding comes from the Polokwane Municipality and national Department of Sport, boosting the budget after years of stagnation. Since 2019/20, only R69m had been spent, with construction delayed by Covid-19 and the termination of the original contractor in 2022. Rising material costs led to the dismissal of the first contractor; Brunel Engineering was appointed late in 2023. A new completion date of March 2025 has been set, pushed back from the initially promised February 2024. The original budget for the project was R51m in 2020 but has since escalated significantly. Full story below Full story POLOKWANE – After years of delays and cost escalations, the long-awaited international softball stadium is finally back on track, thanks to an additional R184m allocation from both the Polokwane Municipality and the national Department of Sport. The extra funding comes after the initial budget fell short, with only R69m spent on the project since its inception in the 2019/20 financial year. You might also want to read: Future of Polokwane's R90m softball stadium remains a mystery Construction has been plagued by setbacks, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the termination of the original contractor in 2022 due to rising material costs – a move Mayor John Mpe said was necessary to curb excessive expenditure. Brunel Engineering, the new contractor appointed late last year, has since taken over the site and repaired parts of the structure damaged during the extended halt in progress. Sport and recreation manager Mantlako Sebaka confirmed this week that while work on the external areas and practice fields is ongoing, the revised estimated completion date has now been set for March 2025, a year later than initially promised. You might also want to read: Millions more to salvage softball stadium This marks a shift from Sebaka's previous projection of February 2024. The project has come a long way from its original R51m budget when the first contractor was appointed in 2020. The DA had previously supported the call for more funding after only 43% of the work was completed despite 84% of the second-phase budget being depleted. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
