By Nangamso Mabindla

Buffalo City's sporting facilities are being given a major facelift ahead of the South African Games, which will be held in the city in April next year.

Willie Maritz, the municipality's amenities manager, took Executive Mayor Sindisile Maclean on a tour of the facilities last week and said that improvements were nearing completion.

The Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, which will host the soccer competition during the games, is being given a R1,6-million facelift, with improvements made to the stadium's roof and to the commentary and VIP boxes.

The roof, which was rusty and leaky, "was becoming a hazard to the spectators," said Maritz. "We spent R400 000 and put on new roof."

The area around the stadium will also be paved and security is being stepped up. "We have hired a guard so that we could curb vandalism," Maritz said. "We also put up a new fence. The guard is always around to make sure no harm is done to the stadium."

The changing rooms at the stadium have also been upgraded and now have hot water.

The mayor commended Maritz and his department, saying he believed the games would be successful. "I am satisfied with what I've seen here today. I believe that if the people take care of the stadium, Buffalo City Municipality would have done their job,"

Councillor Maclean was then taken to the Joan Harrison Pool Complex in Selborne, where the swimming competition will be held.

Maritz said not much had needed to be done as the complex was already one of the best in South Africa. "What we did here was just to change the pipes. That cost about R300 000."

Martiz said they had received R4,7-million from the National Lottery and this may be used to install a heating system at the pools. A pool temperature of between 25 and 27°C is required for the tournament.

The mayor said he was convinced that after the tournament, Buffalo City and its facilities would be on everybody's lips.