Tennis on the streets

Fouzia Van Der Fort|Published 10 months ago

Warm up before the Bordeaux Street Tennis Tournament, in Westridge yesterday Tuesday July 2. Pictured in the second row, left, is umpire for the day Mitchell’s Plain SAPS Rocklands sector commander Captain Mornay Kleinhans. In front are formerly from Mitchell’s Plain Heart Fm DJ Aden Thomas, mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, councillor for Ward 82 Washiela Harris and Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC Ricardo Mackenzie

Taking back public spaces and allowing play to take over the streets was the aim of the tennis matches in Westridge yesterday Tuesday July 2.

Organiser Rodney Brown said that school holidays were usually special but these days it was hard for children to play outside and enjoy themselves with organised sport.

“This could be for various reasons from safety to lack of resources,” he said.

They decided to roll back the years and invited guests to be part of the showcase.

Mr Brown won the final match against Mr Hill-Lewis.

There were various activities, displays by the fire department, law enforcement and their canine unit.

There were free massages and children were treated to lunch by various organisations.

SA beach tennis champion Fabian Viljoen facilitated some sport for the children.

This was the third annual tennis tournament, Cape Flats Wimbledon style, in Bordeaux Street Westridge, including the first matches being played by mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis who won his first match against radio personality Aden Thomas, formerly from Portland.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, Umpire Juven Rittles, from Unchain the Plain, and radio personality Aden Thomas, formerly from Portland ready to take on the first tennis match.

While Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC Ricardo Mackenzie won EFF national minister of parliament Nazier Paulsen on the adjacent court.

Songstress Salome, formerly from Lentegeur, put on a show stretching and trying to meet every ball, while playing against radio personality DJ Portia, from Colorado Park.

Songstress Salome, formerly from Lentegeur, ready to hit the tennis ball.

Mr Hill-Lewis said such events brought people together.

“Taking back public space and not letting them be taken over by gansterism and drugs,” he said.

He said Wimbledon was happening across the ocean but right now the most important tennis tournament in the world was happening in Mitchell’s Plain.

Mitchell’s Plain Tennis Club junior champion Mahdee Hendricks, 16, from Colorado Park.

Shamiega Isaacs, from Westgate, shows off some moves.

Mitchell’s Plain Tennis Club members. Pictured at the back, from left, are Andrew Japhta, George Timmie, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mahdee Hendricks, Gilbert Hartzenberg, Karen Arendse and Shireen Hendricks. In front are Candice Meiring and president Razeen Benjamin.