DA calls for urgent plan to save Olympia Park Stadium
Rustenburg – “The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling on the Rustenburg Local Municipality (RLM) to urgently implement a turnaround plan for the crumbling Olympia Park Stadium. This follows Orbit College FC’s decision to host its premier division home games at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium instead,” said DA councillor Nelio Nhacuangue.
“While this stadium is located within Rustenburg, it is not owned or managed by the municipality, resulting in a direct and measurable loss of revenue, opportunity, and public value for the Rustenburg Local Municipality,” cllr Nhacuangue added.
The DA had raised concerns about the stadium’s poor condition as early as November 2023. With the venue now declared non-compliant by South African Football Association (SAFA), it can no longer host professional football — a blow to local pride and economic potential.
Local residents have also voiced concern. “I regularly go to the stadium to run and exercise. I take my dog along, and on weekends, my siblings and friends join me,” one reader shared. “When there are matches, we buy food and enjoy the day. I hope this doesn’t go away — that community feeling is something special.”
The DA is urging RLM to:
- Conduct full safety and structural checks
- Develop a repair and compliance plan
- Create a rental strategy for events and functions
- Set deadlines and assign responsibility
“Olympia Park shouldn’t be a white elephant,” said Nhacuangue. “It should be a hub of sport, jobs, and community events.”
No response was received from the municipality by the time of publication.
Photo: The view from a side street at Olympia Park Stadium — access was denied when one of our journalists attempted to take photos.
