The group of Cape Town residents that it was feared might mount a crippling legal challenge to the city’s 2010 Soccer World Cup stadium have decided to work with the authorities in planning the complex.
The decision was taken on Thursday night at a meeting of the Green Point Common Association, where a majority of the 170 residents present voted against litigation and for negotiation.
”What that means is it’s a mandate for us to engage in the process as opposed to being outside the process,” said association chairperson David Polovin.
He said that as part of the provincial administration’s formal record of decision on the proposed 68 000 seater stadium, it had been ordered that a consultative forum be set up between stakeholders and the city of Cape Town.
The residents had been asked on Thursday night for a clear mandate to get engaged in that process.
”Now we have that mandate. I’m very proud of that. I think it’s a way forward for us,” Polovin said.
”We have a mandate in favour of the stadium going ahead. We’re not in opposition any longer.”
Polovin said their senior counsel had advised the association that the stadium process thus far was flawed and that there was a clear basis in law to attack it, but warned at the same time that the atmosphere in court would be against the residents.
He said there was still substantial unhappiness in the community over the stadium ”but being inside seems to be a more helpful role than being an outsider”. – Sapa