Cape Town - A 33 metre by 9 metre mural at the Langa Indoor Sports Centre is the first of several paintings that the City of Cape Town is planning to commission over the next 12 months to mark 365 days to the Netball World Cup.
The artwork was painted by local artist Skumbuzo Salman who was supported by emerging artist Ayabonga Ntshongwana.
It follows the theme of “Netball”, “Women Sport” “Cape Town”, “Africa”, “healthy lifestyle”, “women empowerment” and “hope”.
The artwork is visible from the N2 highway.
“We are excited that we are moving closer to the start of this prestigious event, with just one year to go. Much preparation has gone into planning for the Netball World Cup since Cape Town was announced as the host city in July 2019 – and we are ready to put on a world-class sporting display. We are very proud to host this competition and hopefully see the South African national netball team become world champions on home soil,” said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
At the mural unveiling, the City also hosted an exhibition match between a City of Cape Town team and a Langa team.
The City will be rolling out several netball activities leading up to the Netball World Cup to raise awareness about the event.
This includes unveiling several murals in areas across the city in partnership with emerging artists from those communities.
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department has also spent over R6 million in the last financial year to upgrade netball facilities in Scottsdene, Ravensmead, Delft, Gugulethu, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Strandfontein, Sarepta and Mitchells Plain.
For the current financial year, the department has set aside approximately R2m for netball facility upgrades.
In addition, the department is partnering with the Cape Town Netball Federation to roll out an after school programme focused on developing player skills, rules of play and teamwork as well as mentorships for coaches.
The programme is open to girls between 10 – 16-years-old.
The pilot project will be launched at 12 City facilities including:
- Rebecca van Amsterdam Recreation Centre/Westfleur SG, Atlantis
- Scottsdene Recreation Centre & SG, Kraaifontein
- Du Noon Recreation Centre
- Sarepta Recreation Centre, Kuilsriver
- Nomzamo Recreation Centre, Strand
- Khayelisha CBD Centre, Khayelitsha
- Ravensmead Recreation Centre
- Proteaville Recreation Centre, Bellville South
- Gugulethu Indoor Centre
- Portlands Indoor Centre, Mitchells Plain
- Lotus River Recreation Centre
- Ottery Centre / Coniston Park
Those interested in joining the programme can sign up at these facilities.
Cape Times