“We are not prepared to live in an area that is just a dump,” said the chairperson of Better Bedfordview, Marina Constas.
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The non-profit organisation strives to build a thriving community through clean-up campaigns and restoring roads, parks, pavements and public places, to a standard the community can again be proud of, as stated by them.
Better Bedfordview is a civic initiative comprising concerned residents who want to keep their environment clean.
“The aim is to enhance the appearance and functionality of Bedfordview, thereby maintaining and increasing the value of our properties and the enjoyment of our environment.
“Council has become dysfunctional as they don’t have the necessary resources,” explained Constas.
The organisation was launched last June, officially demerging from Bedfordview’s Residents Action Group (RAG).
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She said the move was to open the initiative to other interested parties and/or individuals.
With assistance from an Afrihost sponsorship, they have fixed 236 potholes.
Twenty unemployed people given work.
They planted trees, conducted cleaning campaigns, removed illegal sign boards, re-paved Van Burren Road and painted speed humps.
“For sustainability, we need more people and businesses to get involved. Every household needs to contribute R200 monthly. I don’t think it’s a huge ask considering the work we will be able to do.
“We also get sponsored by businesses, but we don’t have enough to be sustainable at this stage.”
Plans for the year include hosting more fundraising events like their golf day campaign and doing more activations. They are also working with schools for the betterment of Bedfordview.
They also partnered with the community of Senderwood to revamp the garage opposite Neighborhood.
“We have proposed working with the metro, but they haven’t been able to meet us halfway. The aim is to help.
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We need to make sure that we take pride in our environment. We are trying to educate our residents to first take pride in their pavements.
“Around you, the metro is not going to do anything. Take pride and make it look decent and respectable,” she added.
They need funding to buy equipment, pay staff, and for the daily running of their office.
The vision, according to Constas, is to use the initiative as a model for surrounding areas to also take action. But, at the same time, hold the council accountable.
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“This year, we will conduct survey research regarding boycotting paying rates. We will look at how many people feel we should stop paying and keep our money.
“Extreme situations call for extreme measures. Why we should pay but continue not to receive much-needed services?” she asked.
The organisation needs more skilled people to join in. They meet on Tuesdays at Glendower Golf Club at 08:00.
For volunteering or other enquiries, email betterbedfordview@gmail.com
The metro had not replied by the time of print.
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