LOBAMBA – Members of Parliament (MPs) have expressed great concern over the ongoing delays in completing the renovation of the Somhlolo National Stadium.
The MPs raised the issue during a debate on the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs first quarter performance report. The minister was represented at the sitting by the Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Simelane.
Shiselweni Region MP Lindiwe Mamba questioned when the Somhlolo National Stadium would be finished and exactly how much funding was required to complete the project. She also enquired why only a few young people had been awarded youth development loans.
Ntondozi MP Peter Vulinjini Ngwenya emphasised that the ministry plays a vital role in shaping children from a young age. He noted that football has effectively died in the country and urged members to reflect deeply on what caused its downfall.
Meanwhile, the Ngwenya MP questioned the procedure used to determine which constituency receives a sports centre, adding: “I want to know so that I can personally calculate this for myself.” He noted that current reports suggest it will be a long time before the country can host international-level football matches again.
KuMethula MP Jabulani ‘Mkhari’ Simelane stated that completing the national stadium would play a pivotal role in society. He pleaded for regional sports centres to be developed equally across the country to help nurture local talent.
Mtfongwaneni MP Nathi Hlophe expressed gratitude for the Sports Bill, but urged that the Arts and Culture Bill be prioritised as well. He enquired about the E42 million stadium budget, describing the ongoing delays as deeply painful. Hlophe blamed the ministry for these setbacks and urged officials to engage with the portfolio committee during budget discussions so members could actively lobby for funding. He noted that a completed stadium would remain highly active, recounting a trip to Zimbabwe where officials asked if the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had approved the venue. He emphasised that finishing the stadium would significantly boost the economy, while also expressing concern that the ministry routinely conducts work without consulting the committee.
Mangcongco MP Lomalanga Dlamini recalled attending a match involving Nsingizini Hotspurs, noting that the venue was packed long before kick-off, which proved that the youth love football. She appealed to the ministry to complete the stadium without further delay.
The Chairperson of the Ministry of Sports Portfolio Committee, MP Sifiso Shabalala, stated that construction is roughly 90 per cent complete and asked MPs to assist in releasing the necessary funds. He noted that while a new stadium is ultimately needed, Somhlolo must be finished first. Hosting home games abroad, he added, is incredibly expensive and diminishes the country’s prestige.
