Bad state of Brackenham hall

THE poor state of Brackenham Community Hall remains unattended despite years of lobbying by community groups and residents for urgent maintenance and renovations to get under way to address the community facility’s shortcomings.

Brackenham resident and businessman, Nelson Pillay has taken up the baton to call on local authorities to action urgent intervention and have the venue completely renovated and repaired.

Last month, Pillay requested the use of the facility for his late wife, Molly’s thanksgiving service and came face to face with the poor condition of the hall.

‘I had been in contact with the municipality, ward councillor and other municipal leaders for two weeks leading up to the event and was promised that the facility toilets and kitchen would be repaired before the ceremony,’ said Pillay.

‘We were expecting a number of local and out of town guests and did not want people to see the terrible condition of our community facilities.

‘I made numerous calls to the municipality but it was all in vain.

‘On the Friday before the function, we went to inspect the hall at lunchtime and nothing had been done so we took it upon ourselves to thoroughly clean and sanitise the toilet and kitchen area and we fitted new toilet seat covers as well.

‘I was so disappointed that the emergency maintenance was not conducted as promised while we are paying for a service to use the hall.

‘We are rate payers in this community but our facilities are not maintained despite all the complaints over the years.

‘It is heartsore that issues in our suburb are not prioritised such as our unkempt vacant plots, overgrown grass at the suburb’s entrance and illegal dumping in the community,’ said Pillay.

Ward councillor Leslie Joseph acknowledged that numerous complaints have been received over this issue and said the tender for the hall renovations was in process.

Meanwhile, the Richards Bay Senior Citizens Club Chairperson, Ben Naicker said they use the facility every  Wednesday for their meetings and this complaint has been ongoing for over two decades.

‘This is such a disgrace that despite all the meetings we have had and promises received from officials, this is still an ongoing issue.’

‘Every year we hear the same excuses and it is unfortunate that the old folk are the ones who suffer as they have to use this facility for their get-togethers as there is no other community facility in the area.

‘It is our right to receive service delivery as we are rate payers in this town.

‘We have seen so many community leaders attempt to have this complaint rectified, to no avail,’ said Naicker.

City of uMhlathuze Municipality spokesperson Mdu Ncalane said there were delays in the tender process but it is now back on track and going ahead.

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