Suburban
THE Borrowdale Ratepayers and Residents Association (BRRA) has urged the City of Harare (CoH) to consider putting more recreational facilities this year as they play an important role in the communities.
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
BRRA chairperson Mr Robert Mutyasira said residents expect the local authority to seriously consider recreational facilities this year.
He said the issue of recreational facilities is a necessity which needs to go beyond just talk and become a reality as children are growing up without any significant benefit from such community assets.
“In all our endeavours of transforming our ward, we keep neglecting the young, those with special needs and the elderly.
These are vulnerable members of the community who need public areas they have access to in order to engage in activities and interactions that enhance their health, wellbeing and social inclusion.
We have no hall, library, swimming pool, basketball courts or any other facility to which our residents have free access to.
As mentioned in earlier times, recreation has remained a privilege of the elite as private recreational facilities such as Borrowdale Brooke Country club and Borrowdale Country club are membership based and the subscriptions are beyond the reach of most residents leaving them uncatered for,” he said.
Mr Mutyasira said the shortage of recreational facilities creates unnecessary social inequalities.
Important social meetings and events have to be at the mercy of privately owned venues and if one is to go for an interrupted dog walk or just exercises, they have to go out as far as Ballantyne Park (at the Ballantyne Conservancy Park), which is outside their ward.
“We are looking forward to city authorities as well as our ward and constituency leaders giving this matter priority in their plans for the ward.
Should devolution be implemented as provided for in our constitution and when residents have a say in the revenue generated from their districts, this pertinent community need will be top of the agenda.
“Pieces of land suitable for such infrastructural developments need to be identified now and allocation processes commenced while resources for their establishment are sought” said Mr Mutyasira.
The BRRA official drew a link between the lack of recreational facilities and retarded development among youths.
“Lacking these facilities, our youths are subjected and exposed to development in isolation. The internet becomes their major interest and hobby. Although Internet is a good resource, over indulgence may have detrimental consequences. Young children and adolescents need human interactions for development.
“Mixing and mingling with their peers and those older than them in appropriate and controlled environments will sharpen their social skills and nurture some decorum, something that is lacking among our youths.
“The few places that offer entertainment in the ward have no limits on what the young people are exposed to. These are adult environments with no boundaries to protect the youths from unorthodox influences such as alcohol and drug abuse, prostitution among other anti-social feats.
“The elderly too are neglected. There is nothing in the community to show that they have been considered.
“It is disheartening to see senior citizens strolling on the busy roads risking being involved in serious accidents. Those with special needs have no identifiable facilities in this community,” said Mr Mutyasira.
The BRRA argues that recreational facilities have to be on the agenda and the residents’ body had seen it fit to start talking about it.
“Mount Pleasant has such facilities within the district office premises. There is a hall, swimming pool, library and even a traffic safety training facility for young pedestrians and cyclists.”
