Dunoon kids get a safe playground at last
Peter Luhanga
- Thandabantu Park’s years of neglect have come to an end with a R650,000 upgrade funded by a private company.
- The park, once a filthy dumping ground and sand mining site, will get new fencing, play equipment, grass, and benches.
- Local school and football club will benefit from the open space.
A public park in Dunoon that for years stood as a symbol of municipal neglect, is undergoing a long awaited upgrade thanks to a private sector initiative in partnership with the City of Cape Town.
Thandabantu Park, once an informal dumping ground and sand mining site, is being redeveloped through a R650,000 investment by the Ciolli Brothers construction firm.
The City confirmed that work began last month, which includes the installation of secure fencing, new play equipment, fresh grass with irrigation, and public seating.
The park, previously characterised by rusted swings, exposed piping, and fire scorched earth, had become unusable to children, and a public health concern for nearby residents.
Street vendors and informal car washers frequently used the space for burning scrap and accessing municipal water through makeshift, illegal connections. Complaints of rats, and foul odours from urine and food waste were common.
The intervention follows years of community pressure. Ward councillor Meisie Makuwa had repeatedly challenged the City’s budget decisions, questioning why Dunoon’s only park was overlooked.
“Ciolli Bros approached Makuwa and further engaged the subcouncil as part of their corporate social responsibility investment in the community of Dunoon,” stated the City.
According to the City, while not a cash donation, the contribution aligns with its policy on collaboration between the public and private sectors. Instead of transferring funds, the company is directly funding infrastructure upgrades to the value of R650,000. The City said this would transform the park into a safer space for children who have long lacked secure outdoor recreation.
The park lies directly opposite the main entrance of Sophakama Primary School. School principal Amos Siwayi, who also serves as president of the Dunoon Local Football Association and founder of Mimosa Football Club, said the school has long suffered from a lack of open recreational spaces. A former municipal sports field once used by the school was overtaken by residents who built shacks, leaving pupils with no choice but to use the neglected park.
The park had become overrun by rodents, sand miners, and illegal dumping, but despite the challenges, the Mimosa Football Club continued to train as there were no other spaces.
“The upgrade and revitalisation of this park is long overdue. It will improve the school’s image and provide a safe and welcoming environment where children can play after school. For years, this site was a dumping ground, plagued by sand mining and a constant stench. Yet children played there, and my club trained amid those harsh conditions,” said Siwayi.
He said he intends to propose the school formally adopt the park to ensure regular cleaning and maintenance. This would provide a much-needed space for physical education and life skills classes, which the school currently lacks. The park also doubled as a netball court despite its dilapidated state.
He said the City had confirmed a permanent caretaker will be appointed. He said the school plans to have its caretaker collaborate closely with the park’s caretaker to maintain the facility.
The City anticipates the upgrade will be completed by 30 June.