The office of South African Public Protector Thuli Madonsela released a statement on Monday 30 March regarding the use of the Nkandla facilities. This statement follows a lengthy investigation into the funds used to perform upgrades done at the president’s compound.
The report states that the facilities at Nkandla have been upgraded to such an extent and that it can accommodate large groups of people and that this is intended to be utilised by the general public in a bid to calm the public response to Jacob Zuma’s use of governmental finances.
“The funds used to upgrade Nkandla are public funds. The facilities at Nkandla, including the Olympic sized swimming pool, the conference rooms and the accommodation, are to be presented as public spaces which can be utilised at a minimal cost,” says Madonsela.
A large part of the Nkandla compound will be cordoned off as a private presidential area, however, the facilities such as the accommodation and conferencing facilities will be available to all members of the public.
The two state of the art Astro Turf soccer pitches and the tennis court will be used as practice facilities for underprivileged scholars and the Olympic sized swimming pool will be transformed into a public pool with professional lifeguard supervision – all of these facilities are ideal for teambuilding exercises. “We can now benefit members of the community by making these facilities available to underprivileged scholars from rural communities,” Madonsela adds.
These sporting facilities will be managed and maintained by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation.
However, the two conference venues now offer event organisers with a new and elegant option when choosing venues.
The KwaNxamalala suite is a large ballroom that can accommodate up to 400 guests. It has doors opening onto a large veranda and is ideal for gala dinners and large functions.
There is also a boardroom called the Mntungwa Room which can seat up to 250 delegates boardroom style.
Both these venues have their own private entrance with a lavish foyer that can be used for drinks, registration tables, branding or buffet tables.
The different chalets comprising the accommodation part of Nkandla will also be available for public use, so using one of these venues comes with the added benefit of nearby accommodation.
Although this gesture is intended to appease the general public, the presidential family as well as selected members of the ANC will have preference when booking the facilities.
The set date for the commencement of this plan is 1 April 2016 (APRIL FOOLS!).
