BLOEMFONTEIN – Businesses at the Tempe Airfield as well as the community of Groenvlei have lodged complaints about the intention of the Mangaung Metro to sell Tempe Airport to a private estate.
Johan Pretorius, DA Councillor and the DA in Mangaung’s spokesperson on economic development, says there were more than 50 written objection submitted, reflecting deep concern over the metro’s apparent disregard for due process, transparency, and public participation.
Tempe Airfield is one of 14 assets in the metro – including Naval Hill – that has been advertised so the public can give their input. The process closed end of October.
In response to numerous inquiries by the media, the city manager Sello More said the tender is to leverage growth in the city’s assets. This, while many of the businesses at the Tempe Airfield, generate good income not only for businesses, but for the city itself.
Pretorius says the DA believes the proposed alienation of this strategic municipal assets is procedurally flawed and potentially unlawful.
Tempe Airfield is a certified and operational airport under the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). Any attempt to repurpose this site would undermine its aviation status, threaten local jobs, and erode an essential part of Bloemfontein’s transport and economic infrastructure.
Recently, a notice was circulated to hangar owners and tenants indicating that no lease agreements would be renewed, as the metro had received formal expressions of interest from external parties in the airport land currently occupied by hangars and aviation-related businesses.
Another occupier is the Bloemfontein Gliding Club. Riaan Bezuidenhout from the Gliding Club, says nog communication from the municipality is forthcoming.
“The Tempe Airfield is a strategic and high-value municipal asset – of significant regional and
national importance to general aviation in South Africa. Over the years, lessees and users have
personally invested in the maintenance and improvement of airport infrastructure,
contributing to its ongoing functionality and safety.”
Bezuidenhout says this club allone invested millions in infrastructure and maintenance of the runways without the municipality support or assistance.” Runway 33 was developed out of our own funds. This adds value to the whole flying community. The club moved to the New Tempe Airfield in 1985 and is the oldest club on the airfield.
Bezuidenhout says it is now the beginning of the Gliding Season and members are flying in from across the world to spend time in Bloemfontein in the coming months.
On a yearly basis, international glider pilots fly in from all over the world to use the facilities in Bloemfontein. From November to January each year, due to the good soaring conditions around Bloemfontein, the Tempe Airfield is sought after. These yearly financial injections into the local economy happens via spending on accommodation, food, entertainment, fuel, aircraft hire, vehicle hire to name but a few.
Pretorius says Tempe Airfield is an important refueling stop between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
We strongly condemn the Municipality’s failure to consult affected tenants, aviation stakeholders, and the local community before pursuing this plan.
“The DA calls for the immediate suspension of all actions related to the proposed sale and demands a transparent, lawful process that protects this vital public asset,” Pretorius said.
More said in a newsletter on Tuesday that the Tempe Airport “has turned into a quad bike venue. “What a waste”.
This venue as the city manager calls it, the Bloemfontein Off Road Club (Borc) has hosted numerous world class national, regional and and club-level events and is recognized as one of the top motocross facilities in South Africa.
Anton Engelbrecht BORC Chairman said If the municipality proceeds with the disposal of this land, it would result in the loss of the only operational motocross venue in the Free State Province, effectively ending all formal off-road motorsport activities in the region.
Not only in the Tempe Airfield home to several businesses, it also houses the SAPS Airwing and is a base of training for parachute soldiers stationed at Tempe.
More said the metro will give due consideration to valid objections. “Our intetion is to stimulate growth and create a bigger revenue base with will benefit all citizens of Mangaung.”
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