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VAN DER STEL SPORTS CLUB : PEOPLE OVER PROFITS!

URGENT: CLARIFICATION REGARDING PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ON THE VAN DER STEL FACILITY AND THE SECRECY BEHINID THE PROPOSED TAKEOVER – KILLING A MULTI-SPORTS GROUND THAT EXISTED SINCE 1921.

To: The Greater Stellenbosch Community, Sport Supporters, Players, Affiliated Clubs, and General Members of the Public, the Municipality and the Democratic Alliance as governing Party.

A public notice was published in the Eikestad Nuus on Thursday, 30 January 2025, inviting public comment on a proposed 30-year long-term lease agreement for the development and exclusive use of the VDS facility by a private company (Stellenbosch Football Club). However, the notice lacks critical details, leading to widespread concern and uncertainty among the Stellenbosch community.

The sporting community of Stellenbosch will not stand by while Van der Stel Sports Grounds—or any other municipal sports facility—is taken over for the exclusive use of a single sport or private entity. We reject any process that lacks transparency, violates fair public consultation, and dismisses the rights of the many sporting codes and athletes who have called these grounds home for generations. We will not accept secrecy within the Municipality while critical decisions about our shared sporting future are made behind closed doors.

The people of Stellenbosch demand honesty, inclusivity, and a fair process—anything less is an outright betrayal of our community and its sporting heritage.

The original public participation notice stated, "Gemeenskapsgebaseerde sport sal toegang tot die verbeterde sportinfrastruktuur by Van der Stel gewaarborg word." However, in a second notice published on February 6th to rectify the paragraph, the Afrikaans wording was altered to align with the English version, which instead emphasized that "Economic activity will be encouraged and stimulated," raising serious concerns about the shift in focus from guaranteeing community sports access to prioritizing commercial interests.

Concerns Regarding the Proposed Lease

Key issues include:

• There is no transparency regarding the intended use of the facility, which is centrally located and has been an integral part of Stellenbosch’s sporting and community heritage.
• The impact on current sports codes that have used VDS as their home ground for decades has not been addressed, and no clear plan has been provided to affected stakeholders, including homeowners, sports clubs, players, surrounding businesses, and the wider community.

Despite prior requests for transparency, no official commitment has been made regarding the continued inclusion of multiple sporting codes at VDS. This raises serious concerns about potential exclusivity and the broader implications for Stellenbosch’s sporting and community landscape.

The issue is receiving increasing attention from affected sports communities and their supporters.

Furthermore, we urgently seek clarity on:

• Whether the facility’s usage will be subject to an exclusive agreement (benefiting only one entity “Stellenbosch Football Club”), or
• Whether other sporting codes will retain rights to exist and operate within the multi-function facility if the lease agreement proceeds.

Given the significance of this decision, it is imperative that these questions and commitments be addressed before any final decisions are made. The lack of clarity will likely result in strong opposition from the broader Stellenbosch community.

The Legacy of Van der Stel Sports Grounds

For over 85 years, Van der Stel Sports Grounds has been a cornerstone of Stellenbosch’s sporting heritage, serving as a common municipal facility that has provided a home to multiple sporting codes, including rugby, soccer, cricket, athletics, and hockey. The grounds have played a pivotal role in the development of future sporting legends, many of whom have gone on to achieve national and international success. It has been a training ground for local talent, fostering an environment where sportspeople from diverse backgrounds could compete and excel. The facility's historical significance extends beyond sport, as it has been a unifying space for the greater Stellenbosch community, bringing together schools, clubs, and supporters in the true spirit of South African sport.

We cannot participate in a public process without full transparency.

The sporting community of Stellenbosch will not stand by while Van der Stel Sports Grounds—or any other municipal sports facility—is taken over for the exclusive use of a single sport or private entity. We reject any process that lacks transparency, violates fair public consultation, and dismisses the rights of the many sporting codes and athletes who have called these grounds home for generations. We will not accept secrecy within the Municipality while critical decisions about our shared sporting future are made behind closed doors.

The people of Stellenbosch demand honesty, inclusivity, and a fair process—anything less is an outright betrayal of our community and its sporting heritage.

Van der Stel Sports will continue!

For further enquiries please contact Chairperson of Van der Stel ExCo: Pieter Lotz at facilities@vdssport.co.za