Drakenstein’s Heartless Decision to Demolish Wellington Community Hall

Demolishing a community hall that is still being used by the community speaks volumes, especially when no reasons are provided by the Drakenstein Municipality.

I would like to express my disappointment with the heartless decision by the DA-led municipality to terminate the temporary lease agreement of a municipal property in Wellington to the NPO, Community Youth and Family Services, a family service organisation led by community leader Mr Henry Jacobs.

From 1 December 2025, the Wellington community, and Wyksvlei in particular, will no longer receive community-based programmes in the Safmarine Hall.

After Henry used his own money to repair the building, and with the municipality’s original permission, a decision has now been taken to demolish the hall. No reasons have been provided to the community for this decision.

This decision is a massive blow to the children, women, and vulnerable people of Wellington.

The 2026 Local Government Elections will be another opportunity for the Wellington community to replace the political leadership of the municipality, although by then it will be too late to save the hall.

It may be within the municipality’s powers to take this decision, but it was not taken in the public interest, and certainly not at a time like this, at this time of the year.

The question remains: what was the basis for this decision?

A petition against the decision will be handed over to the Municipal Mayor next week Tuesday.