I can’t stay silent – New hope this morning
Hopefield:- The first Hopefield Bloekomfees, that was planned for Saturday 16 May 2026 at the Ronnie Louw Sports Grounds, i still can’t except it has been cancelled.
It was meant to be my 70th birthday gift to my community – a day of sport, talent, fun runs, relays, and celebration to raise funds for youth development, including a safe swimming pool or at least a tennis court for our children.
Despite months of planning and excitement, the Saldanha Bay Municipality made it impossible for us to host the event:
- We were told we could not erect a stage on the rugby field, despite a professional, grass-friendly design.
- A “reasonable amount” was suddenly demanded to advertise the event.
- The community hall was refused at the last minute for the talent evening on Friday 15 May.
This happened while another organization from Cape Town received the same hall without problems, thanks to the intervention of our own ward councilor.
The Director apparently asked (through a municipal worker) where the swimming pool would be built – the same question our sponsors had already asked and were satisfied with the answer. Why was there no proper written response to our original application?
Meanwhile, inquiries kept coming in Despite all the obstacles, we received daily calls and messages from young people wanting to participate in the races — from as far as Matzikama to Cape Town. Hopefield residents were excited about the artists and talent performances. People wanted to run, participate, and be part of something positive.
Another disappointment is Ward 7 Councilor Miranda Schrader, whose term ends with the upcoming election. I sent her a letter about erecting the stage. She did not even have the decency to respond.
Last month Hopefielders were upset when the next financial year’s budget was announced.
What many residents did not realize is that during Councilor Schrader’s term there was not a single community meeting where complaints and needs could be raised. The budget was therefore drawn up as if Ward 7 communities are happy with everything.
Low SMS participation: The R2 SMS competition also performed disappointingly, with only 29 people nationwide taking part.
This was a big let-down after all the effort.
Fortunately, two couples from Hopefield itself were among the winners. One couple won the weekend at Protea Hotel Durbanville exactly in their anniversary year. They were overjoyed and said it was a dream come true because they could not afford to celebrate it themselves.
New hope this morning: This morning I received a phone call that exceeded my expectations. Someone who believes in the dream has come forward and wants to help uplift our youth through sport and opportunities. It has reignited hope after I did not expect it so soon. The same person also helped bring our upcoming O/19 Rugby and Netball 7’s tournament on 19 September to life.
I can also confirm that a local business has stepped forward to also help make the tournament a reality.
Earlier swimming pool initiative: In February, WCSS took more than 20 children to a local private swimming pool for three days at the invitation of the owner. Every day different ages – When children were shouted at by the supervisors who were supposed to guide them, I stood up.
The owner was also unhappy with certain conduct and decided it would never happen again. Afterwards I wrote a story thanking everyone except the supervisors and named them. This caused a local business that had contributed to feeding the children to withdraw all support and no longer even greet me.
Thanks to people with their own agendas who still seek recognition…
We are a registered NPO with no profit motive. We are not asking for special favor’s – we are simply asking for fair and professional treatment like other organizations in the same municipality receive.
The question that must now arise for many brown residents of the Saldanha Bay municipal area is:
Why are brown communities and those who stand up for them consistently opposed by a DA/Opposition partners-controlled municipality?
Writer: George C April Founder & Chairperson West Coast Sports Solutions NPO (Reg. 281-169)
website: https://www.wcsportssolutions.co.za/
