URGENT PETITION TO RETAIN KENRHO PARK TENNIS CLUB AND RHODES PARK AS PUBLIC SPACES 

Comments close on 28 August 2026

To the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and Johannesburg Property Company (JPC)

JPC has published a notice asking for comments on a proposed lease of the whole of Rhodes Park (Erf 2836, Kensington), described as a "Public Open Space", for "sports & recreation and/or commercial purposes."

We, the undersigned, are concerned about what the consequences of privatisation and/or monetisation of our public space could mean for the future of KenRho Park Tennis Club (KPTC), the park and for the people who use it. KenRho Park Tennis Club has existed in the park for decades and provides sporting and development opportunities to people of all races, backgrounds and ages across Johannesburg. We ask the City of Johannesburg to recognise this contribution and urge the city to work with the club to ensure that it can continue serving the people of Johannesburg.

KenRho provides an important service to the community

KenRho Park Tennis Club is not simply a tennis club occupying municipal land. It provides opportunities for young people from Malvern, Bez Valley, Troyeville, Yeoville, the inner city, Cyrildene, Kensington and surrounding areas to play sport. 

Young people who would otherwise have limited access to organised sport in low-quintile schools play tennis at the club; they benefit from the club’s Youth Development Programme that offers free coaching, subsidised leagues and tournaments. Being part of a club that especially treasures its young members, we help to ensure that they develop skills, such as how to be a team player, confidence and friendships.

The club provides a positive place for young people to spend their time, exercise, compete and develop through tennis. It also brings people into the park to play tennis, take part in tournaments and leagues, and participate in the wider recreational life of the park. 

The club has invested in the park and helped improve safety

KenRho Park Tennis Club and its members have invested their own money, time and effort in maintaining and improving the facilities.

By keeping the tennis facility active and occupied, KPTC has helped to activate the park and increase the presence of diverse people using the space, contributing to a safer and more welcoming environment.

The club has been a responsible steward of the facilities and has worked to keep them usable, safe and in good condition.

Clubs that maintain facilities, invest their own resources and help activate public spaces provide value to the City of Johannesburg and to the people who use them. That value should not be measured only by the rental that could potentially be obtained from the property.

We ask the City and JPC to:

• Retain Rhodes Park as a public open space and ensure that the public continues to have free access to it.
• Ensure that sporting facilities in the park are restricted to not-for-profit organisations. 
• Include residents, community organisations and not-for-profit sporting organisations that use and care for the park in any decision-making regarding new investments in the park.
• Recognise the youth development and community value provided by KenRho Park Tennis Club.
• Recognise the money, time and effort that KenRho Park Tennis Club and its members have invested in maintaining the facilities, activating the park and improving safety and security not only for members but for the users of the park.
• Take cognisance of the recent High Court judgment concerning Killarney Country Club and the public benefit provided by community sporting organisations.

Rhodes Park is more than municipal property. It is a vital and necessary public space for recreation. KenRho Park Tennis Club provides opportunities for young people and adults from across Johannesburg to participate in tennis while helping to keep the park active, safe and used.

We ask the City to recognise this contribution and work with the club to ensure that it can continue serving the people of Johannesburg.

PLEASE SIGN AND SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF KENRHO PARK TENNIS CLUB BY LEAVING A PERSONAL COMMENT AT kenrhoparktennisclub@gmail.com