Greater Giyani Municipality has announced that the long-stalled refurbishment of Section E Stadium is expected to be finished by April 2027, signalling a possible return of organised sport to the area after years of deterioration, according to reporting in the Herald.
Project progress and context
The head of sports in the municipality, Cllr Christina Zitha, who acted as mayor at a recent municipal imbizo, told attendees the stadium works are progressing and are scheduled for completion by April next year. She linked the project to broader efforts to improve infrastructure and create opportunities for young people in Giyani, as reported by the Herald.
"I must tell you that the work there is progressing well and according to plan. We expect the construction of the stadium to be completed by April next year, and we anticipate that people will be able to start using it by then, provided everything goes according to plan," Cllr Zitha said, according to the Herald report.
Residents have long complained about the stadium’s decline. The site was left partially completed and, over time, became a source of concern for the community, including reports that it had attracted criminal activity. The municipality began rehabilitation work in May this year, with a budget of R25 million, the Herald reports said.
What the refurbishment includes
The reported scope of work aims to restore basic functionality and safety at the stadium. Key elements listed by the municipality include:
- A new soccer pitch equipped with a drag-line irrigation system
- New change rooms and ablution facilities
- Refurbishment of the existing combi-court
- Upgrades to the guardhouse and other amenities
| Component | Expected outcome |
|---|---|
| Soccer pitch | Improved playing surface with irrigation |
| Change rooms & ablutions | Facilities for players and officials |
| Combi-court | Refurbished for multi-sport use |
| Guardhouse & amenities | Better security and user services |
Road works and local appeals
Cllr Zitha also mentioned progress on a Section E road-paving project. She said the road works are a multi-year undertaking and will take longer to finalise, with completion now expected towards the end of next year, the Herald reported. The dual focus on both the stadium and roads reflects municipal priorities to improve mobility and community spaces.
At the imbizo the acting mayor urged community members to protect the investment against vandalism and sabotage. Municipal projects in small towns and rural wards are vulnerable when security and ownership by the community are not well established, and the municipality’s call underlines that risk.
Local implications
If the April 2027 deadline is met, the refurbished stadium could provide a safer venue for sport and community events in Giyani, supporting youth development and creating spaces for local clubs and schools to host matches and practices. However, the success of the project will depend on continued construction progress and local stewardship to prevent interruption by theft or damage.
The Herald provided the details in its coverage and quoted Cllr Zitha’s remarks from the municipal imbizo. Municipal financial oversight, operational maintenance plans and security arrangements will determine how quickly the stadium can be made regularly available to residents once construction is completed.
For now, stakeholders in Giyani — including sports administrators, school representatives and residents — will be watching construction milestones closely as they prepare to reclaim a community asset that has been out of service for several seasons.
