31-08-2012: Councillor Chris Vondo MMC for Community Developemnt kicks off the opening of the City of Joburg Outdoor swimming Pool
Councillor Chris Vondo: MMC for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg kicks-off the spring season by officially opening municipal owned outdoor
swimming pools.
The opening of the 50 outdoor swimming pools follows on the heels of the sensational exploits by our very own swimmers at last month’s Olympic Games in
London. “Our gold medalists, Chad Le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh, once again made us to understand the importance of national pride and unity”, MMC
Vondo said. MMC Vondo continued: “as a City we have always understood the power of sport and its power to promote social cohesion. It is against this
background that the Department of Community Development is playing a pivotal role in creating opportunities for the upliftment and advancement of
communities through sports and recreation among others”. The City owned swimming facilities play a vital role in exposing youngsters to a sporting code that
was not necessarily a preferred sport in previously disadvantaged communities. Therefore, said MMC Vondo, to realize mass participation in all sport, the
City is guided by the Growth and Development Strategy Joburg 2040 (GDSJoburg2040). In realizing this strategy moving towards 2040, the City is
collaborating with various partners to intensify the City’s vision of nurturing and developing talent. To this end, programmes such as Learn To Swim and
Kiddies Olympic , run in collaboration with partners such as Swim SA are beneficial. For instance this programme Learn to Swim, not only teach children
how to swim but it also benefits adults to learn how to swim to save their own lives should they be under threat.
And through this very same programme talented swimmers such as Madoda Menye and Thabang Moeketsane were spotted. Both are now qualified instructors and
Moeketsane was based in Durban since November last year training alongside world champion, Chad Le Clos in preparation for the Olympics Games in London.
Unfortunately Moeketsane didn’t qualify.
These programmes are but some of the interventions fostering social cohesion, participation in sports as well as support for healthy living. Meanwhile, the
MMC explained that of the 58 swimming pools only 50 will be opened as of the 1st September this year. The following pools; East Bank, Parktown Swimming
Park, Eldorado Park Proper, Linden(Heated Pool), Ennerdale and Roodepoort will remain closed while repairs continue. Both Murray Park and Rhodes pools are
completely closed “Some of these pools are 50 years older and have massive and costly defects. We have taken a decision to refurbish these pools and already
refurbishment is underway in some pools. But for instance at pools such Murray Park and Rhodes Park will be, we have committed to do repairs there in the
2013/2014 as well as 2014/2015 financial year”, Cllr. Vondo said However, should construction work be completed at those pools currently being refurbished,
then those pools will be opened. Cllr. Vondo invites residents to make use of the public swimming pools, as they reopen on Saturday, 1st September 2012, to
mark the start of the swimming season. The City’s outdoor aquatic facilities will be open the entire summer season from Monday until Sunday - from 10:00am
noon until 17h30:00 pm. For more information regarding Aquatic Facilities, please visit www.joburg.org.za or contact CoJ’s Sport and Recreation office at 27
(0) 11 406 3801during regular business hours.
ENDS - Issued by The City of Johannesburg
Nthatisi Modingoane Deputy Director: Communications
CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Tel: 011 407 7354
Cell: 082 467 9228
Fax: 011 403 3494
