A Group of Hanover Park grannies are die moer in at the City of Cape Town after they were kicked out of a public swimming pool by an official who allegedly claimed the pool belonged to him.
The oumas, who are members of the Hanover Park Fitness Club, say they got a skrik when the “onbeskofte official” told them they could not use the pool, despite them using the City facility twice every week for the past five years.
Club chairperson, Somaya Lawrence, says the trouble started last week when they were informed that a new person had been appointed by the City to look after the pool.
She says the club which consists of women aged between 35 and 72 is aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle in Hanover Park.
“We have been coming here twice a week for five years for water aerobics but last week I came and met Igsaan Nazier,” says Somaya.
FACILITY: H.Park pool used by group of grans. Photo: Monique Duval
“He told me he is now in charge and that we must come back Thursday, but when we came back he said they had to test the water so we understood and we left.
“But he told us he was going to arrange some programme and we must come back today [yesterday] but there was nothing and when we wanted to do our aerobics he told us we must get off his premises. ”
Ouma Dolly Leeuw, 70, says she came ready with her bather and towel and was shocked when Nazier was rude to her.
“Ek was reg en hy kom en skree vir ons. He said, ‘get off my premises!’ I mean, it’s not his property, it’s for the community.”
But Mayco Member for Community Services and Health, Zahid Badroodien, says the old ladies were wrong as they wanted to use the facility outside of operating hours.
“Mr Nazier is the Facility Officer in charge of Hanover Park Swimming pool and he advised the group that swimming wasn’t permitted outside of operating times, primarily because there were no lifeguards on duty.
“It is a safety requirement for lifeguards to be on duty when pools are open,” Badroodien says.
He encouraged the oumas to make a booking and formally apply for free usage of the pool, in order to secure a long-term arrangement for their club.
“All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions of the facility, which include operational times and the availability of lifeguards.”
However, Somaya says under the previous manager they would often use the facility without lifeguards.
“We have been going there for five years and often there is no lifeguards and the old manager had no problem with it.
“The City has also never said anything about a formal agreement. Why do they come with this now?”