From Daily Maverick · Yvonne Grimbeek · · 2m
Joburg's pool crisis deepens as heat wave hits
Only 20 of 57 municipal pools open a month into summer, with delays blamed on maintenance, staffing and compliance failures.
In brief
Only 20 of 57 municipal pools open a month into summer, with delays blamed on maintenance, staffing and compliance failures. Johannesburg has opened only twenty of fifty-seven public pools despite summer heat, with compliance and staffing delays blamed for missing the September opening deadline. Originally reported by…
Only 20 pools open as summer begins
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A month and a half into swimming season, only twenty of Johannesburg's fifty-seven municipal pools are open. Another thirteen are expected to reopen this week.
City promised 36 pools by October 1st
The City of Johannesburg initially said thirty-six pools would open from October first, following delays due to compliance and maintenance issues that prevented opening on September first.
Thirteen pools opened on October 7th
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Only thirteen pools opened on October seventh, with lifeguards on standby: Linden, Blairgowrie, Florida Lake, Jabulani, Orlando, Pimville, Meadowlands, Zoo Lake, Pioneer Park, Rhodes Park, Lenasia South, Eldorado Park Ext 3 and Lenasia Ext 2.
Seven more pools have since reopened
Rabie Ridge, Verity Park, Roosevelt Park, Davidsonville, Noordgesig, Paterson Park and Eldorado Park Ext 4 have opened since October seventh.
Thirteen more pools expected this week
Dobsonville, Jabavu, Diepkloof, Power Park, Senaone, Sydenham, East Bank, Turffontein, Forest Hill, Crown Gardens, Yeoville, Malvern and Lenasia Ext 10 are slated to open this week.
Chemical tenders delayed until mid-September
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Tenders for pool chemicals closed only in mid-September, even though pools were supposed to open at the beginning of that month, according to GroundUp.
Grade 12 requirement blocked former staff
Adverts in June set a new minimum educational requirement of Grade 12, which excluded many former staff members. Positions were readvertised in September without the requirement.
Coronationville pool lime green and closed
The heated pool in Coronationville is lime green due to a faulty pump motor and has been non-functional for several weeks. Electrical problems in the plant room are being addressed by a contractor.
TV production limits pool access
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The Coronationville pool is hired to production company Penguin Films for television series Diepe Waters. The City confirmed the contract exceeds two hundred thousand rand over the financial year.
Opposition warns of systemic failures
DA shadow MMC Lyrics Mazibuko said pools are essential community assets and repeated delays point to broader problems in planning, asset management and accountability across the City.
“Swimming pools are essential community assets, not seasonal luxuries.”
The bottom line
Johannesburg has opened only twenty of fifty-seven public pools despite summer heat, with compliance and staffing delays blamed for missing the September opening deadline.
