“We look at the entire layout for complexes, from sports fields, soccer fields and combo courts, to change rooms and public facilities. We also act as advisors to the Department of Sport and Recreation and evaluate projects to see that facilities are practical, viable and suited to the needs of the community. Projects are therefore approved based on our evaluation and recommendations,” explains Dees.

There is a lot involved when assessing sports facilities. “We look at existing services, the number of sports clubs in a given area, the composition of sports associations and the availability of a sports counsel. When a rural community needs a sports field, they simply pick out a spot and then once it has been cleared, they mark it with four poles and then play league matches. It’s a big shame, but with the upgraded facilities, we hope to build a proper 90 X 65 m² sports complex complete with irrigation,” says Dees with conviction.

According to Dees, there are many complications attached to the allocation of land. “The ‘Inkosis’ or big chiefs own the land in rural areas and they are very reluctant to part with it. So when the community submits their request to the local municipality for a sports complex, priority projects give rise to the ‘Permission to Occupy’ (PTO) agreement. In this agreement, the ground is leased to the local municipality for a set period of time, so the ‘Inkosis’ get to keep ownership of the land and everyone wins.”

“Once land has been identified, we test the viability for sports use by looking at the road access, the availability of drinking water, sanitation and adequate water facilities. If there are no services planned for the area, we conduct a feasibility test for future installation. These cost figures are then included in the budget. We're also involved in the policy making of the project.”

“This program specifies that 30% of the construction cost be given to local contractors and labour. In addition, 50% of the workforce must be female, 30% must consist of youth members between the ages of 18 and 35, and 1,5% must be physically challenged. In a project of between R1 to 2 million, we are able to employ between 50 and 80 people on a rotational basis for a period of 5 to 9 months.”

Labour components are very specific and are strictly controlled by the Monitoring Management Information System (MMIS). “It is almost impossible to outsmart the MMIS and penalties are levied to contractors who do not conform to requirements."

“We use Civil Designer to plan the landfill sites and also to design the access roads. I am very happy with the program. I even lectured Civil Designer for two years at Mangosothu Technikon and have been using the program since the early days of Stardust. I am pleased to have trained the Technikon’s Head of Faculty on this amazing program and would recommend it to anyone,” says Dees.
 

Sports complexes that have been completed by D.G. Naidoo & Associates include Manguzi, Bambanana and Sundumbili. “Our goal as a medium sized consultancy is to grow to a well-established concern with a good track record. Sports complexes currently range between R1,5 and R2,5 million and they are a huge improvement from the informal facilities previously erected by residents.”

“Travelling is a very big part of my job and I do a lot of it, but I have seen some of the most breathtaking parts of our country. I can safely say that there is no other country quite like ours! We have it all and I am very excited about the infrastructural developments currently taking place in the deepest rural areas of South Africa,” says Dees in closing, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm.