Residents of Tshikota are pleading with the Makhado Municipality to build a sports complex in the township. The community says sport plays a crucial role in nurturing young talent and keeping youth away from drug abuse and criminal activities.
“Our township is one of the oldest in South Africa, yet we do not have a sports complex. What surprises us is that we are located right next to Louis Trichardt town, but no one seems to address our concerns,” said Tshabangu Tluo, the Makhado ANCYL sub-regional convenor.
“Last year, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) also wrote a letter to Makhado Municipality requesting assistance in building a sports complex in the township,” Tluo added.
Limpopo Mirror visited the sports grounds currently used by Masedi Primary School, including an area that used to serve as a tennis court. There is a football and netball pitch, but community members say the facilities are substandard. Training sessions often clash with school activities, forcing community teams to give priority to learners.
Netball teams previously trained at the old tennis court, but they have since stopped because the space is no longer suitable for training.
Isaac Mathatha, team manager of Matika Football Club, expressed concern about the lack of a sports complex in the township. The club has been in existence for nearly 30 years.
“The two football teams we have in Tshikota do not have a proper place to train. Sometimes our training sessions clash with school activities, and we have to step aside to allow learners to use the field. Our community loves sports such as football and netball, but we do not have a sports complex. We are calling on the municipality to consider building one in Tshikota. It is surprising that areas like Waterval have a sports complex while we do not,” said Mathatha.
Jan Rasesemola, Tshikota Youth Development manager, told Limpopo Mirror that he stopped netball training in 2024 because the facility they were using had become unsafe and lacked the necessary structures for proper netball practice.
“Training netball was helping to keep the girls away from teenage pregnancy and drug abuse. Now that we have stopped, girls have nothing to keep them occupied, and that is risky,” said Rasesemola.
Questions regarding the lack of a sports complex were sent to the Makhado Municipality. At the time of going to press, municipal spokesperson Mpho Rathando had yet to respond.