Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman Smith unveiled the latest Netball World Cup 2023 legacy mural at the Portlands Indoor Centre this morning.
The 10 metres by 6,7 metres mural adorns the side of the Portlands Indoor Centre and is visible from Merrydale Avenue.
The artwork by Mitchells Plain-born artist Wayne Bks, who also goes by Conform, is a representation of netball, women sports, Cape Town, Africa and hope.
The latest mural adds to four previously unveiled Netball World Cup artwork in Langa, Khayelitsha, Strand and Bellville South.
They form part of the City’s broader strategy as a partner in the 2023 Netball World Cup and is also aimed at creating awareness in the city about the event while also leaving a legacy long after the tournament.
‘With about seven months before the start of Africa’s first ever Netball World Cup, we want to ramp up our efforts to promote this tournament by ensuring its visibility in the communities where a majority of netball players and supporters of the sport live. We believe having these murals in the facilities used by our residents on the daily will assist in keeping the event top of mind and also serve as a reminder long term that they were part of a historic international netball event,’ said Alderman Smith.
Also present at the unveiling were Mitchells Plain-based netball players who will form part of inter-district netball competitions scheduled for May and June.
The competitions will culminate in a Grand Finale to take place in Bellville just a month before the start of the Netball World Cup.
‘Our Recreation and Parks Department has been hard at work on the upkeep of our facilities including netball courts and related amenities. The upgrade of these facilities goes hand in hand with our Afterschool programme focused on the development of player skills, rules of play, teamwork as well as mentorships for coaches. Our goal is to ensure that we provide these inspiring netball players developmental opportunities and excellent facilities to hone their skills to potentially play at future Netball World Cups,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
The Afterschool programme is open to girls between 10 – 16 years old.
The pilot project is available 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
Khayelitsha 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
Source: City Of Cape Town