The Blue Cranes Netball Club at Wema Hostel, historically a male-only residence, is celebrating a significant milestone with the upcoming netball field soon to be unveiled. | Supplied
Durban — The Blue Cranes Netball Club at Wema Hostel, historically a male-only residence, is celebrating a significant milestone with the upcoming netball field, soon to be unveiled next month.
This initiative aims to combat social challenges, particularly teenage pregnancy, by providing young girls with a constructive alternative to “loitering on hostel streets with boys”.
Bhekani Zondi, a community leader, team founder, and coach, expressed his elation to the Daily News, describing the field's inauguration as a dream realised.
“This facility will play a crucial role in steering our youth away from social ills,” Zondi remarked passionately.
The club, launched under the non-profit Imbokodo and Block Chairperson’s initiative in June 2021, has quickly gained traction, with players even participating in provincial U-13 netball competitions. By 2022, they had started making the waves.
He said the club’s success has not only attracted attention within their community but also garnered invitations from teams in neighbouring townships like uMlazi. Despite their growing reputation, the Blue Cranes lacked a home ground until now, hindering their potential to join a local netball league.
Indiphile Jona, a 21-year-old player who has been with the team since its inception, shared her excitement for the future with the Daily News.
“We have come a long way, especially considering our humble beginnings. Now, with our own netball field, the possibilities are endless,” Jona said.
Reflecting on the hostel's transition from exclusively housing male economic migrants to a more inclusive community, Zondi emphasised the importance of adapting to support women and young girls in these spaces.
Ntando Mnyandu, spokesperson for the KwaZulu Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, commended the initiative at Wema Hostel.
However, he clarified that the facility was not funded or built by their department, attributing it to municipal efforts. The KZN Netball Federation, he added, was not consulted during its establishment, though they support its use by local players.
In eThekwini’s bid to transform community spaces and promote gender equality, the city’s ward 75 councillor Sibusiso Sivetye is said to have influenced the establishment of a netball facility within this hostel.
eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana highlighted that the initiative aims to rectify the historical imbalance in hostel facilities, which traditionally favoured male-centric amenities like soccer fields.
“The introduction of a netball facility at SJ Smith hostel is part of the ward-based Community Infrastructure Projects (CIP), initiated by the local councillor to address community needs.”
Mgabe Cele, a ward committee member, expressing optimism, said: “This initiative is a testament to our commitment to levelling the playing field and providing recreational opportunities that cater to all residents.”
The netball facility is set to launch potentially on August 24, pending final preparations.
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