2016 has been a year that brought its own challenges, grievances, sorrows and happiness to our doorsteps.
I recall saying several weeks ago already – I “tap out” and yet she had more to give.
This year brought about #FeesMustFall, super billboards, Olympics, elections, droughts, floods and the ever-present crime and the effects thereof.
In this year we welcomed back Edenvale’s top cop, Col Robbie Roberts to lead the Edenvale SAPS.
Roberts returns to Edenvale SAPS to lead
We also saw well-known ward councillors, Bill Rundle, Heather Hart and Bongani Nkomo remain at the helm of wards 19, 18 and 32 (Johannesburg) respectively, with two new faces joining our public representatives – Clr Wendy Morgan (ward 36) and Clr Tiziana Plaskitt (ward 92).
We were shocked and yet still not surprised by the evil results of crime. Police launched a murder investigation following the death of Edenvale mother of two Vanessa Dreyer, who was shot and killed in an attempted robbery.
This was followed by the death of a mother-to-be, Caroline Sithole, whose life was claimed in the November floods.
Gloomy – I know.
The above incidents all affected me, touched me and made me terribly sad at times and happy at times.
However what affected me most, was YOU.
You never hesitated to step forward when a fellow community member needed help. You spoke out when a fellow community member had no voice. This year, the communities of Bedfordview and Edenvale have shown that the sense of community in these areas is strong.
Reviewing our most read stories online for 2016, I notice that several of these stories reported on community involvement, community action or the community taking a stance.
Whether it was family members looking for a missing loved one or a dog that has gone missing since the floods or most recently, the communities’ determination to restore their beloved towns after the floods – you contributed.
You stood up and demanded to be heard for the sake of the Edenvale Sports Grounds and many of you added your support to a beloved former school teacher when she came under the media spotlight. In fact, it was not the story about a video showing a teacher reprimanding a child that trended. No – it was the story about Old Boys stepping up to the plate and showing their support to a teacher they know and respect.
I believe we can build on this sense of community in 2017 – if anything it can only make us stronger.
The NEWS wishes all our readers and advertisers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
- The first edition of Bedfordview and Edenvale News will be distributed on January 11
