Save Our Stables Foundation

25/09/2025

Remembering the Cyril Geoghegan Velodrome
The Kingspark Cycling Stadium.

Built in the 1980s, the Cyril Geoghegan Velodrome was one of only three in the country. At the time, it was seen as the nation’s state of the art cycling facility. It proudly served as the home of Cycling SA and Savages Athletics Club before their eviction by the eThekwini Municipality.

The Velodrome even boasted a unique tunnel linking it to the Newmarket Stables, designed for horses to enter during major events.

Sadly…
Under the so-called “care” of the eThekwini Municipality, this once-proud facility has been reduced to ruins. The leaseholder has stripped and sold off metal railings and fencing. The roof has been blown away. The inner field, used for show jumping and other sporting activities is now completely overgrown with two meter bush. Another section close to the tunnel is submerged by a meter of water and home to meter long catfish.

Where is the accountability?
It is the legal obligation of the eThekwini Municipality to maintain and protect its properties. Instead, it has overlooked the destruction of a national sporting landmark
and robbed it's ratepayers of another facility!

Photo Credits:
📷SUF

24/09/2025

As we celebrate Heritage Day, I am drawn back to the fond memories of Newmarket Stables.

Standing for over 93 years, the Stables were once home to many famous racehorses. The very lanes carried their legacy in their name Sledgehammer, Horsechestnut, Politician, London News, Gatecrasher, Modelman, Empress, Wolf Power, and not forgetting the famous Sea Cottage each echoing a proud chapter of South Africa’s racing heritage.
From it's earliest day the Newmarket Stables hosted the annual yearling sales, attracting visitors from across the globe.

In later years the Stables were converted into little shops, The creation of The Stables Lifestyle Market. A fleamarket that became a cultural and social landmark in Durban. These buildings was more than just bricks and motar it was a living reminder of our history and our heritage.

Despite its buildings being listed and protected the eThekwini Municipality has turned a blind eye allowing the demolition of more than 20 stables, the theft and sale of 200 000 Marseille roof tiles.

This is what heritage looks like under our 'caring' municipality. Neglected. Vandalized and left in ruins. Ruins where history once stood but now is being destroyed brick by brick and each stolen roof tile by its accomplice, the lessee who has failed to start the construction of the world class soccer academy after 7 years since the lease was signed.

📷SOSF

23/09/2025

In 2018, the Stables Traders Representative Committee (STRC) was established to safeguard the rights and interests of traders at the Stables Lifestyle Market.
For nearly 30 years, these traders worked tirelessly raising families, paying school fees, and putting bread on their tables.

The Stables Lifestyle Market was much more than just a flea market.
It was the livelihood to 400 families, the sole income and their small business.

In 2020, The eThekwini Municipality made a decision to evict the traders of the Stables Lifestyle Market to make way for a billion rand world class sports development center.
This decision displaced traders whose lives depended on this only source of income.
Since our eviction the STRC has fought tirelessly for the reinstatement of the traders.

In 2022 The STRC grew into The Save Our Stables Foundation, a NPC with resilience and determination to continue its mission to restore the lost livelihoods and protect its traders.

Our home, our livelihood, our fight!

21/03/2022

🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

05/10/2021

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24/09/2021

29/11/2020

Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 infections & The National State of Disaster extended indefinitely we have decided to postpone our event.

We will be in touch with all our exhibitors.

We all want to remain safe and covid FREE.



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16/11/2020

The Stables pop-up market... Coming soon😍😍😍!!!

Our new home @ Hollywood Bets Kingsmead Stadium.

Save the date! 🥳🥳

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