WHEN it comes to sports complexes, there are many complications attached to the allocation of land and D.G. Naidoo & Associates is only too familiar with all the restrictions.
 

This Durban based company looks at the entire layout for complexes, from sports fields, soccer fields and combo courts, to change rooms and public facilities. They also act as advisors to the Department of Sport and Recreation and evaluate projects to see that facilities are practical, viable and suited to the needs of the community.

“On average, I travel about 10 000km per month to assess the existing and potential sports facilities in deep rural areas.” says Dees Naidoo owner of Durban based D.G. Naidoo & Associates. Dees is largely involved in the infrastructural development of underprivileged communities, particularly the road works and the allocation of sports facilities in KwaZulu Natal.

There is a lot involved when assessing sports facilities. “We look at existing services, the number of sports clubs in a given area, the composition of sports associations and the availability of a sports counsel. When a rural community needs a sports field, they simply pick out a spot and then once it has been cleared, they mark it with four poles and then play league matches. It’s a big shame, but with the upgraded facilities, we hope to build a proper 90 X 65 m² sports complex complete with irrigation,” says Dees with conviction.

According to Dees, there are many complications attached to the allocation of land. The ‘Inkosis’ or big chiefs own the land in rural areas and they are very reluctant to part with it. So when the community submits their request to the local municipality for a sports complex, priority projects give rise to the ‘Permission to Occupy’ (PTO) agreement. In this agreement, the ground is leased to the local municipality for a set period of time, so the ‘Inkosis’ get to keep ownership of the land creating a win-win situation.

Before (February 2004) - this is a sports facility? This photo provides an indication of the enormity of the task.

Once land has been identified, the viability for sports use is tested and various factors are taken into account. These factors include road access, the availability of drinking water, sanitation and sufficient water facilities. If there are no services planned for the area, a feasibility test is conducted for future installation. These cost figures are then included in the budget.

Labour components on the project are very specific and are strictly controlled by the Monitoring Management Information System (MMIS). “It is almost impossible to outsmart the MMIS and penalties are levied to contractors who do not conform to requirements,” says Dees. The program specifies that 30% of the construction cost be given to local contractors and labour. In addition, 50% of the workforce must be female, 30% must consist of youth members between the ages of 18 and 35, and 1,5% must be physically challenged. In a project of between R1 to 2 million, the total labour force employed on a rotational basis range between 50 and 80 people for a period of 5 to 9 months.

In order to ensure that there is effective communication across all parties, the community, through its various councillors elects a project steering committee. This body is responsible for liaising with the community and providing much needed input on new project developments. New projects are then communicated once a year via road shows and by means of electronic media like radio and television.

“We use an interactive design package called Civil Designer to plan the landfill sites and also to design the access roads. I am       

After (May 2005) - a new clubhouse


After (May 2005) - a new netball court


After (May 2005) - new changing facilities
 

very happy with the program. I even lectured Civil Designer for two years at Mangosothu Technikon and have been using the program since the early days of Stardust. I am pleased to have trained the Technikon’s Head of Faculty on this amazing program and would recommend it to anyone,” notes Naidoo.

Sports complexes that have been completed by D.G. Naidoo & Associates include Manguzi, Bambanana and Sundumbili. “Our goal as a medium sized consultancy is to grow to a well-established concern with a good track record. Sports complexes currently range between R1,5 and R2,5 million and they are a huge improvement from the informal facilities previously erected by residents,” says Dees in closing.

Computer Graphics (CG)
June 2004
pg 13