Unannounced Site Visits by the DA reveal the Closure of the Boksburg and Benoni Swimming Pools

Media Statement by Ald. Dean Stone, DA Spokesperson for Sports, Heritage, Recreation, Arts and Culture in Ekurhuleni

Date: 10 October 2023

Release: Immediate

Type: Press Statement

The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with concern the closure of numerous swimming pools across the City of Ekurhuleni.

On the 31st of August 2023, the City released a media statement announcing the opening of its swimming pools for the summer season (1st September 2023).

According to the statement, a total of 18 community swimming pools would be opened apart from the Vosloorus, Palm Ridge, Alberton, Benoni, Brakpan, Alra Park, Gerdview and Van Dyk Park swimming pools which required minor maintenance and repair work.

The swimming pools that were ready for opening were listed as follows:

Here are the swimming pools that will be opening tomorrow:

• Atlasville
• Benoni Northerns
• Birchleigh
• Boksburg North
• Daveyton
• Delville
• Duduza
• Ebuhleni
• Eden Park
• Edenvale
• Etwatwa
• Faranani
• Klopperpark
• Kwa-Thema
• Primrose
• Reiger Park
• Selection Park
• Thokoza

To ensure the readiness of these swimming pools for swimming, the DA has embarked on a series of unannounced site visits.

Key amongst these visits, was a visit to the Boksburg North Swimming pool in Ward 22. Despite being listed as open by the City, the Boksburg North swimming pool, an indoor swimming pool (not affected by the winter closure), was found closed with no reason being provided for its closure. The DA also visited the Atlasville Swimming Pool in Ward 23, with DA candidate for the ward, Gerald Goslin. Much like the Boksburg North Swimming pool, the Atlasville swimming pool was found closed with no explanation.

The DA believes that many more of our swimming pools have not been opened as stated. It is concerning that despite the extensive maintenance and repairs done on the City’s swimming pools during the winter break, many of our swimming pools aren’t open for use.

The DA will be taking this matter up with the MMC for Sports, Heritage, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Cllr. Bridget Thusi, to ensure that an audit of these swimming pools is conducted to determine whether they are open and functional as promised.

It is saddening that residents can’t use these much-needed facilities during public school holidays. With there already being a lack of green spaces and parks in and around our communities, swimming pools provide a safe space where children can participate in recreational activities during the September break.

The Boksburg North and Delville swimming pools in particular are of the only Olympic-sized swimming pools in the City. These facilities have fallen into a state of disrepair and are not open for use. Schools and aquatic sports bodies have been left high and dry, with no place to train for the Olympics and other national and international competitions.

Like most failing infrastructure in the city under the EFF-ANC coalition government, it is apparent that the municipality is incapable of prioritising the improvements and maintenance of municipal infrastructure, especially facilities that are meant to benefit residents across the city.

The DA will continue to apply pressure on the department to ensure that the swimming pools are adequately maintained and opened as promised.

Ald. Dean Stone

DA Spokesperson for Sports, Heritage, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Ekurhuleni

082 806 4584