DPWI signs deal with high school to use Sandrift Sport property

The Department for Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has contracted with Noorder Paarl High School for the use of the Sandrift Sports Facility site adjacent to the school.

The school principal and community members had contacted the department earlier this year inquiring about the use of the property as the school needed sports facilities and the property was not in use.

De Lille pointed out that the ministry, as the steward of state-owned property, has a mandate to make land or buildings available for use by government agencies, and the ministry can also enter into agreements with community-based organizations to use land not owned by them through sale, donation or lease used by the government for community purposes.

“Noorder Paarl High School, a free school with more than 1,000 students, has been in dire need of suitable sports facilities for many years. The school contacted the department to inquire about the use of the field and the completion of various due processes within the department, we are pleased to have been able to sign a usage agreement with the school on Friday 5th August 2022.

“This agreement with Noorder Paarl High School is in line with my commitment that we must use public land for the common good and I am delighted that we have been able to enter into this agreement with the school to allow them a space for sporting activities . ‘ said deLille.

She said the principal and governing body welcomed this agreement and said it would greatly assist her work in conducting sporting activities with decent facilities.

The minister said many schools and community organizations are doing good work in the communities and “access to sports facilities is an important part of the development of young people and the community as a whole”.

She emphasized that access to facilities and land is one of the most important forms of support the state can provide to give communities a sense of belonging and to see communities reach their full potential.

“Very often underfunded communities have difficulty honing and developing young sports talent due to a lack of facilities, and it is our responsibility to work with communities to provide available spaces for communities to efficiently carry out community upgrading and development work.

“Many of our country’s great sporting talents hail from Paarl such as the late Chester Williams who has had to travel outside of Paarl to play sport and we need to do much more to help communities such as efforts unhindered,” the minister said .

She said the department’s responsibilities include overseeing the agreement to ensure the building’s operating efficiencies are maintained and the occupant is complying with the terms of the agreement.

The department has also committed to undertaking renovations to bring the facilities up to date.

The sports field has been made available to Noorder Paarl High School for use for activities related to various sports laws in accordance with the relevant laws and the agreement.

“I hope this agreement will allow the school to encourage the development of sporting talent and provide a safe space for young people to participate in sport. Sport is an important part of social development and sports fields often provide children with a safe haven to escape the ills in our communities by having a space in which to develop their talents,” de Lille said.

(With contributions from the South African Government press release)