There is a noticeable difference in Bedfordview. Residents have lauded Better Bedfordview, which is a RAG (Residents Action Group) community initiative that is aimed at keeping the suburb clean.
“Thank you so much. It looks great,” Fernanda E Silva said on Facebook after some before and after photographs were shared. “Amazing work,” said Robert Bender.
Judith Persi said: “Well done. A huge thank you.”
“We really appreciate the feedback,” said RAG and Better Bedfordview chairperson Marina Constas. “We are delighted that residents are noticing the difference where our Better Bedfordview team has been working. It makes us more determined than ever to keep striving to make our area clean, green and beautiful for all, and to unite and uplift our community. “It is becoming increasingly clear that we cannot rely on the municipality. The City of Ekurhuleni continues to fail residents by neglecting even the most basic functions of local government,” she said.
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Constas added some of the issues in Bedfordview included ongoing sewage leaks and water bursts and parks, pavements and green belts overgrown and unkempt.
“An ineffective ‘blitz’ in the form of a few shoddy pothole patch ups is not a solution. Municipal officials must come out from behind their desks now to explain to residents exactly what steps will be taken to engage with us and restore the delivery of effective and efficient municipal services. “Active citizens must also unite to do what we can, where we can. This is what Better Bedfordview is all about.”
Constas said the Better Bedfordview clean-up team has been going all out since they returned to work after the year-end break.
“The team has cleaned, tidied, weeded and painted some of Bedfordview’s most visible streets. The latest ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs of what the Better Bedfordview team of cleaners has achieved reflect the strides being made by this community initiative.”
She added that paving that was virtually invisible under a mass of weeds is now clear and clean, thanks to Better Bedfordview.
“In keeping with Better Bedfordview’s commitment to the environment, we have used pool salt as a very efficient and cost-effective weed killer in some areas, rather than toxic herbicides,” Constas said.
Through the initiative, overgrown verges are now accessible and safe for pedestrians.
“Dozens of bags of litter, weeds, rubbish and rubble have been removed from our beautiful Bedfordview. This is what can be achieved when a community teams up to clean up,” Constas said.
She appealed to residents to support RAG and the Better Bedfordview initiative.
“As a community-based NPO, RAG depends on funding from residents and businesses, so we can tackle more clean-ups and drive more community improvement projects.
“Our clean-up team consists of previously unemployed men, so we are also proud to be creating employment and helping those in need. Your support can help us grow our team and do more for our community,” she said.
Residents and business that would like to donate to Better Bedfordview can visit the website or call RAG on 011 455 4120.
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