The historic Pretoria Harlequins Rugby Club is teetering on the brink of extinction, thrust into jeopardy by a contentious directive from the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The club, a cornerstone of community sport since 1903, has been given an ultimatum to revert their grounds to its "original condition" by April 13, sparking legal uproar and a fervent public response.
In a dramatic twist, civil rights group AfriForum has come to the club's rescue, challenging the municipality's ambiguous claim that the land is "unallocated" and therefore should revert to agricultural use. Despite the Harlequins' proactive steps since 2021 seeking to rezone the land for sports and recreation, the municipal wheels have ground to a halt, leaving the application in limbo and the club’s future hanging by a thread.
"The Tshwane Metro's failure to fulfil their administrative duties could now lead to the closure of a club that has played an important role in the community since 1903. We are already consulting with our legal team on our next steps,"
remarked Maree van den Berg, AfriForum's district coordinator.
More than just a rugby club, the Harlequins have been a nurturing ground for sporting talent, producing 64 Springboks and serving as a vital community hub for not only rugby but also cricket, hockey, and athletics. With approximately 800 members and several jobs at stake, the potential closure of the club raises significant concerns in a region already battling high unemployment rates.
Van den Berg further highlighted the socio-economic implications:
"In a country where unemployment is a significant problem, it cannot be afforded that a single job is lost due to a metro’s administrative negligence."
This sentiment underscores the broader impact of what might seem like a localized zoning dispute.
In a bid to save their beloved club, Harlequins supporters and AfriForum have initiated a petition and are organizing a community gathering on April 11, hoping to sway municipal decision-makers by showcasing widespread public support. As the deadline approaches, the pressure mounts not only on the municipality for transparency and action but also on the community rallying to preserve a pivotal piece of its sporting heritage.
2,100 posts
The historic Pretoria Harlequins Rugby Club is teetering on the brink of extinction, thrust into jeopardy by a contentious directive from the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The club, a cornerstone of community sport since 1903, has been given an ultimatum to revert their grounds to its "original condition" by April 13, sparking legal uproar and a fervent public response.
In a dramatic twist, civil rights group AfriForum has come to the club's rescue, challenging the municipality's ambiguous claim that the land is "unallocated" and therefore should revert to agricultural use. Despite the Harlequins' proactive steps since 2021 seeking to rezone the land for sports and recreation, the municipal wheels have ground to a halt, leaving the application in limbo and the club’s future hanging by a thread.
"The Tshwane Metro's failure to fulfil their administrative duties could now lead to the closure of a club that has played an important role in the community since 1903. We are already consulting with our legal team on our next steps,"
remarked Maree van den Berg, AfriForum's district coordinator.More than just a rugby club, the Harlequins have been a nurturing ground for sporting talent, producing 64 Springboks and serving as a vital community hub for not only rugby but also cricket, hockey, and athletics. With approximately 800 members and several jobs at stake, the potential closure of the club raises significant concerns in a region already battling high unemployment rates.
Van den Berg further highlighted the socio-economic implications:
"In a country where unemployment is a significant problem, it cannot be afforded that a single job is lost due to a metro’s administrative negligence."
This sentiment underscores the broader impact of what might seem like a localized zoning dispute.In a bid to save their beloved club, Harlequins supporters and AfriForum have initiated a petition and are organizing a community gathering on April 11, hoping to sway municipal decision-makers by showcasing widespread public support. As the deadline approaches, the pressure mounts not only on the municipality for transparency and action but also on the community rallying to preserve a pivotal piece of its sporting heritage.