Community demands change from Gugulethu sports complex manager

Frustrated Gugulethu residents marched to the Gugulethu Sports Complex on Friday, January 23, to hand over a memorandum of demands to the facility’s manager.

Residents expressed their dissatisfaction with what they describe as the manager’s negative attitude towards community members using the facility.

The protest followed an incident last week in which an organisation that had booked the hall was allegedly denied access at the scheduled time. Community members, led by several local organisations, stated that this incident is part of an ongoing pattern of behaviour that has been previously raised but remains unresolved.

They accused the manager of breaching the City of Cape Town’s Employee Code of Conduct and the Batho Pele principles.

Community leader Nceba Sandlana said that anyone who denies residents access to public facilities should not be managing a community facility in Gugulethu. He emphasised that the complex belongs to the people.

“We are not saying she must allow pandemonium at the facility, but when we have booked it, we must be allowed access,” he said.

“I wanted to host an event for vulnerable people, but I could not even enter the facility to drop off items. After that, she was arrogant. We are asking that she be professional or be moved to another area.”

Mr Sandlana described the manager as arrogant and unwilling to listen to the community, stating that residents had no option but to embark on a peaceful march to make their voices heard.

"As a community, we demand access to our facilities. We also demand that she listen to us and take the community seriously,” he said.

“These facilities exist to develop our children and to host community functions. We would be satisfied if she listened and showed flexibility. This is a township.”

Another protester, Malibongwe Mankwiniza, accused the manager of ruling with an iron fist.

“She is not suitable for the township. She needs to be more flexible,” he said.

“We have faced ongoing issues. I am glad this march happened. She must be removed from Gugulethu and taken elsewhere.”

Mr Mankwiniza added that accessing facilities in Gugulethu has become difficult due to the manager’s conduct, with abuse of power listed among residents’ grievances. She once disappointed us in 2025 after booking at the Fezeka municipal office and later told us we could not get access to the hall because there were other bookings, and yet we were early. She handles things poorly and has a bad attitude towards people. She cannot work with people,” he said.

Lutho Tsotso said that organisations and residents have no personal issues with the manager but want her to change her conduct. He stated that the community has endured long-standing problems despite several attempts to resolve matters through dialogue.

The memorandum of demands was handed over to Area North Manager Thabo Bidla, who promised to forward it to his superiors.

Organisations that participated in the march included Ilithalabantu, the Gugulethu Health Forum, Gugulethu Development Forum, Gugulethu Neighbourhood Watch, Vukuhambe Disability Organisation, and the Gugulethu Senior Citizens Club.

In response to Vukani’s inquiry, the City's Recreation and Parks Department said it was aware of the matter and confirmed that a memorandum was submitted by the community.

The Department said it was addressing the issue in accordance with City policies and procedures and was communicating with the relevant parties.

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