“Sport is the worthiest cause, but playing netball in Lavender Hill is endangering lives,” shares community activist Clive Jacobs.
The simple deed of playing sport in open spaces in a community riddled with gang violence could mean life or death.
“Sport is about bringing people together . . . 30 years ago, we could play netball and sit and watch sport early in the morning,” said Jacobs.
“Gangsterism does not play a positive role in society, so we are taking back our sports and streets.”
Determined to revive the sport, particularly netball, he will host a netball tournament in Lavender Hill on Sunday 19 May, and all residents are invited.
“We want to revive sport in the community,” Jacobs pointed out, “and call on all teams to come and join us in promoting netball in the community.
“The tournament is open to everyone, all teams around the Cape Flats, starting at 09:00. This is the revival of sports and bringing people together.”
In preparation for the tournament, the City of Cape Town is repairing a deteriorating netball court.
Unused
“The space has been used as a netball court for the past 30 years but has remained unused for 14 years,” Jacobs said.
“We occasionally have events and games, but not any serious games on the court.”
City improvements include a new jungle gym and an outside gym for adults.
“The City installed the jungle gym four months ago from the Department of Recreation and Sport and the children love the park equipment,” said Jacobs.
He explained the new equipment had created a safe space for children and adults to enjoy.
“Residents use the gym to be active and exercise, kids use the play park for fun.
“This has brought people together because everyone comes outside to enjoy the park and neighbours are taking care of the plants and garden in the park.”
Jacobs commended the ward councillor for bringing sports back to the community.
“Ward councillor Marita Petersen is very interested in netball and she will be coming to the netball tournament to open the day to be part of the event.”
