Hopefield’s Children Left Behind

Questions Mount Over Amoya’s Selective Support

George April – Founder CCN & West Coast Sports Solutions

HOPEFIELD:- For years, the Hopefield Wind Farm  operated by Umoya Energy and commonly known locally as Amoya – has channelled significant community development funds into the West Coast.

Under the national REIPPPP rules, the company is required to invest a portion of its revenue in socio-economic and enterprise development within a 50 km radius.  Early public figures showed more than R19 million spent in the first few years alone, with later community meetings referencing budgets in the region of R14 million.

Yet residents of Hopefield itself are increasingly asking why so little of that support reaches the town’s own youth.

Public reports confirm that Amoya contributed R300 000 to the Saldanha Bay Rugby Club’s Easter (Paasfees) Tournament.  Saldanha’s rugby academy is also understood to receive ongoing annual support.  A newly established Hopefield indoor cricket club reportedly received R50 000 in its early stages.  In contrast, West Coast Sports Solutions (WCSS), a local NPO/C that has worked for four years to create opportunities for disadvantaged youth in Hopefield and surrounding areas, has had every formal request for youth sport support declined.

Each time with reasons that, made little practical sense.

WCSS is currently organising a U/19 rugby sevens and netball tournament scheduled for the end of October in Moorreesburg.  More than twelve teams have already indicated they want to take part. The event requires approximately R28 000 to cover basic costs. Despite a personal undertaking from one Amoya-linked director, Rowan Lamont, that the matter would be discussed with fellow directors, no further response has been received to emails or calls.

Johanna Stoffels, a director of the Hopefield Wind Farm Local Community Company who lives in Hopefield (originally from Klawer), has publicly stated that a community swimming pool is a “luxury.”  She is also reported to have told two local women that i as the founder of WCSS, George April, would never receive support because of articles i has written.  Joseph August is understood to be the only director originally from Hopefield; another director is based in Cape Town.

These funding decisions land in a community already under severe pressure.

Many Hopefield children travel daily to schools in Vredenburg, Moorreesburg and even Malmesbury.   This year a significant number of learners could not secure places, and the situation is expected to worsen as host towns face their own capacity constraints.  High unemployment means parents often cannot afford transport for their kids to attend school.  The result is a growing number of teenagers leaving school early, with little structured activity available.  Drugs, alcohol and simply “walking the streets” fill the gap that sport and youth programmes could otherwise occupy.

WCSS was established precisely to create that alternative,  a pathway for 17- to 19-year-olds, including those who have already left school, to compete, gain confidence and, for the strongest teams, earn opportunities in larger Cape Town events.  The organisation has repeatedly applied to Amoya for assistance with these youth programmes.  All applications over four years were turned down.

The pattern raises legitimate questions that Hopefield residents are entitled to ask:

• Why does substantial funding flow to Saldanha rugby structures while Hopefield youth initiatives struggle for basic support?
• How are decisions made about which projects receive SED funding?
• What accountability exists for the local community company and its directors toward the town that hosts the wind farm?

Any company or individual who shares the vision of giving West Coast youth a fair chance can still make the October U/19 tournament possible.  Naming rights and visible association with the event are available.  Enquiries should be directed only by email to admin@wcsportssolutions.co.za.

No phone calls, please.

• Hopefield’s children do not need sympathy.
• They need opportunity.
• The community now has both the right and the responsibility to demand clear answers, and to ensure that the next generation is not left behind while decisions are made elsewhere. Somewhere out there is someone who understands the frustration of those who still care – someone with the heart and the means to help West Coast Sports Solutions give these young people a reason to believe in themselves again.

  (We decided to only going forward with the rugby tournament because of sponsor problems)

  But still, our U/19 rugby tournament to happens – is still short of the R28 000 needed.
  More than 12 teams are ready.
  The only thing missing is the support.

  If that someone is reading this:
  admin@wcsportssolutions.co.za