Tshwane to lease Caledonian Stadium after millions spent on failed upgrading project
The project to refurbish Caledonian Stadium is littered with heaps of sand with weeds and debris, revealing that it had long been abandoned.
Image: Jacques Naude/ Independent Newspapers
The City of Tshwane plans to lease Caledonian Stadium to RainProp, a private entity, through a short-term commercial agreement lasting three years.
This decision follows the city's failure to complete the stadium's upgrade despite spending millions of rands on the project.
This was made known by Section 79 chairperson for Community and Social Development, Rebecca Monchusi following her recent visit to the facility to assess its current state of development and progress.
In 2017, former Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga announced that the city had set aside R67 million to refurbish the stadium, promising completion within three years. However, the project remains unfinished.
The stadium, built in 1930, has a rich heritage, having been a playground for football stars like Mark Fish, Bongani Khumalo, and Itumeleng Khune.
Before the 2016 municipal elections, the ANC-led administration planned to demolish Caledonian Stadium and convert it into a multipurpose park.
However, these plans were halted due to a legal challenge led by Arcadia Shepherd, under the management of Lucky Manna.
Monchusi noted that significant efforts are currently underway at the stadium, including a forensic investigation into the stadium's developments since 2021.
She revealed that the city plans to lease the stadium to RainProp for a project in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry.
Under the agreement, RainProp will revamp and upgrade the facility's services, while the city expects to collect R150,000 per month in revenue.
According to Monchusi, the agreement is subject to the city manager's approval, adding that lease agreements of three years or less do not require council approval.
“The city's long-term vision for Caledonian Stadium involves preserving its recreational heritage identity while integrating commercialisation to generate revenue and promote community development. The Section 79 committee will closely monitor these developments to ensure that the projects align with the City's plans, policies, and benefits of the residents of Tshwane,” she said.
Meanwhile, she said the city is finalising an arbitration process with a former service provider contracted to work at Refilwe stadium in Region Seven.
Refilwe stadium's upgrade, which commenced in 2013 with approximately R80 million invested, was said to be 95% complete last year after 11 years.
Monchusi said: “A new service provider has been appointed to complete the remaining 5% of work, which is envisioned to be completed over the next six months.”
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za