Heather Erdmann
REHOBOTH – Government plans to build a new N$5 million sports facility for Rehoboth to boost sport in the town and keep the youth busy.
The stadium will be constructed at the site between the new cemetery and an oxidation pond. The new 10-hectare project is expected to create about 45 jobs during construction and will include a gravel athletics track, ablution facilities, and a pavilion seating approximately 350 spectators.
Roads Contractor Company (RCC) is the main contractor, with Hebron Construction and Civil Works handling local subcontracting. Work that does not require heavy machinery will be carried out by small and medium enterprises from Rehoboth and surrounding areas.
The facility forms part of phase one of the Government’s Basic Constituency Sport Infrastructure Facilities programme, which has allocated N$10 million to each region, totalling N$140 million for 28 facilities nationwide. According to the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), the facilities are designed to expand grassroots participation and provide accessible sporting spaces, particularly in underserved areas.
The minister of youth and sport, Sanet Steenkamp, said the identification of land for sports facilities is led by regional governors in line with national directives.
She explained that governors were requested to propose suitable sites, which were then assessed by the Ministry of Works to determine feasibility.
Steenkamp added that, given the N$5 million budget per constituency, priority should ideally be given to upgrading existing infrastructure where possible, rather than starting entirely new developments.
“It would be prudent for any honourable governor to really look at existing infrastructure and actually do the upgrade,” she said, adding that this approach will be emphasised in the upcoming 2026 to 2027 financial year. “We strongly support the view that governors need to look at a community facility that only requires upgrading and or a school facility that can also be accessed by the community,” said Steenkamp.
The Basic Sport Infrastructure programme is being rolled out across all 121 constituencies nationwide. Residents, however, have raised concerns about the location, saying the site lies close to an oxidation pond, where a strong and persistent stench is often noticeable, raising questions about health conditions for athletes and spectators. The proximity of the cemetery has also been described as an unusual and potentially inappropriate setting for a recreational facility. While welcoming the development, community members questioned why a new facility is being pursued while the older stadium remains incomplete.
Local resident Noleen Mouton said they have waited decades for the stadium and asked that they finish what was started.
Sergé Loock of Awake the Champ Within Sports Academy also raised sanitation concerns.
“This is a very good initiative, but the overpowering stench in the area is a huge problem. Proper sanitation must be ensured,” he said. Further concerns were raised in a joint community perspective from the Rehoboth Rugby Club in collaboration with Coach Sugar, who welcomed the development but cautioned that key environmental and planning issues must be addressed.
Environmental concerns, including the possible removal of Acacia trees, have also been raised. Despite the concerns, the project reflects a broader government effort to decentralise sports infrastructure and promote youth development. – herdmann@nepc.com.na
Photo: Heather Erdmann