The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gary van Niekerk, alongside the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), officially opened the Extension 12 Play Park in Helenvale last week, providing a safe and vibrant space for children, youth, and families in the area.
Helenvale, a community that has long been affected by crime and social challenges, will now be experiencing transformation thanks to a R92 million investment from the municipality’s German partners, the KfW bank.
The newly opened play park forms part of a larger community upliftment programme that includes the installation of sidewalks and street lighting, the development of sports fields, crèches, youth centres, soup kitchens, and the rehabilitation of existing facilities. During the opening ceremony, Councillor van Niekerk emphasised the significance of the project for local residents.
“We are restoring dignity, pride and purpose to our communities. Our people deserve more than just promises; they deserve action, and this park is proof of that,” he said.
Municipal spokesperson, Sithembiso Soyaya, said the MBDA demonstrated its commitment to township development through this initiative, challenging the perception that it only focused on urban centres.
Through projects like the Helenvale play park, the agency was making meaningful impacts in township communities across the bay area. In agreement, MBDA CEO Anele Qaba said, “This is part of a series of social interventions that are aimed at ensuring that young people are kept in sport and other healthy activities, instead of being in criminal activities.”
Van Niekerk explained the park’s strategic placement, “This part of Helenvale, Barcelona, is Nelson Mandela Bay’s highest point, so the view from here is phenomenal. I normally come out here when there’s a protest, but today I am pleased to be here for a totally different reason. I hope this will be the first of many, not just here, but across the Metro. I also just want to urge the community to look after this facility, and all other community facilities.”
Local residents welcomed the new park with joy and gratitude, vowing to safeguard the facility and preserve it for generations to come. Community leaders expressed hope that the safe recreational space would provide positive alternatives for young people in an area previously known for its social challenges.
The R92 million investment from KfW represents one of the most significant development initiatives in Helenvale’s recent history, with municipal officials confirming that additional community upliftment projects have been planned for the coming months.
