Construction of new Madibaz Cricket clubhouse in full swing

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04-07-2025
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Port Elizabeth Express
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Madibaz Cricket is set to reclaim its home ground advantage as Nelson Mandela University (NMU) begins construction on a new R11 million clubhouse at its South Campus.

The University’s Infrastructure Services and Space Optimisation Senior Director, Melvin Syce, explained that the old cricket clubhouse had to be replaced after heavy flooding eroded the soil under its foundation.

“It became structurally unsafe, and as a result, the structure had to be condemned.

In response, the University allocated R11million for the reconstruction of the dilapidated facility.”

He added that the new structure would serve more than one purpose.

“We will have a high-quality venue that will be able to generate income for the university.”

The new clubhouse structure, which is based on current design trends, is aimed at meeting the needs of Madibaz Sport and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Upgrades to the building include improved amenities, panoramic field views and space for community engagement — all in time to support South Africa’s hosting of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

“We can’t wait. St George’s [in Gqeberha] will get some of the games, so we are trying to really work on our facilities so that we may be a preferred training ground,” shared Sipho Sibande, the university’s Sport Manager.

To once again have a clubhouse for the university’s cricket programme would be “massive”, he added, thrilled.

“We are all about the culture of brotherhood and sisterhood, and a clubhouse plays a huge role. In the past, we used to host provincial games, and not having a clubhouse meant the club lost out, because you need change rooms and ablution facilities. For the students, it was also a safe space to study before practice.”

Madibaz Cricket Club has been a fertile field for growing provincial and national talent such as Proteas batsman Tristan Stubbs, Anrich Nortje, Simon Harmer, Pite van Biljon, Edward Moore, Justin Kemp, Robin Peterson, Sisanda Magala and Lutho Sipamla.

Other notable talents include former Madibaz cricket club coaches Baakier Abrahams, who is part of the Proteas Women’s coaching staff, and Runeshan Moodley, the strength and conditioning coach for the Proteas men’s squad.

Both Abrahams and Moodley are alumni and played cricket as students before growing their career paths in their respective fields.

There is also more talent emerging.

“We have a young group now and are really looking forward to seeing them come through,” said Sibande, citing student Jason Raubenheimer, who already plays for the Warriors, and allrounder Ethan Frosler, who recently graduated but still plays for Madibaz.

Sibande concluded that the new clubhouse would not only be of benefit to senior players and spectators but also to the broader community, including schoolchildren.

Nelson Mandela University is the largest university in the southern and eastern Cape as the direct result of a merger between the University of Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth Technikon and the Port Elizabeth campus of Vista University.

It was initially named Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2004, in line with the restructuring of the higher education sector and was renamed in 2017.