#Opinion: What is your 2022 wish for Benoni and its community?
Residents and newsmakers share their thoughts.
Vanessa Carelse, director Benoni Child Welfare: These past two years have been challenging for us all. I wish for a peaceful festive season, that in all the chaos of the past year we will experience peace in our beings. That we will be patient and kind to one another. That we will protect the vulnerable and encourage the hopeless. That where we are we will make a difference in the lives of others.
Jane Trembath, chairperson Korsman Conservancy: A clean environment and unpolluted water for not just the community, but all the creatures that live in our ecosystem. I wish for the new Mayor and Council to prioritise the services that affect all our natural areas in Benoni – sewerage, waste management, maintenance of parks. I also wish for all the citizens to take an active role in caring for the environment, because it’s not just up to the Council, it’s up to every one of us. The ecology benefits and so do you; it’s good for the soul when you play an active part in being the solution. Pick up a piece of litter on your walk, report a sewerage or water leak, or remind a dog owner to pick up after their pet. Benoni could once again be ‘The Jewel of the East Rand’!
Yegalan Chetty, president Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora: My wish for Benoni and its community is to be safe and protected over the festive season. Safe from Covid infections, safe in their travels and safe from criminal perpetrators. I also wish that the New Year ushers in good fortunes, good health, positive energy and a brighter outlook for all South Africans. May altruism and truth prevail for the benefit of all.
Beaulieu Maré, president Benoni Lakes Lions Club: My wish for Benoni is for all of us to continually be mindful of each other’s needs and to take into account that every person is dealing with stress due to the situation we are all in at the moment. Let’s remember that we’re all in this together and we need to work together to make the world a better place. On a lighter note … I wish that potholes would be a thing of the past!
Farrarmere resident Paul Rotherham: “With the past 18 months or so being an incredibly challenging time for many, my wish is that 2022 brings with it a sense of community and togetherness along with some much needed relief from the pandemic. Benoni is known for its strong sense of community and I would love to see this continue into the New Year with more people becoming active citizens, getting involved in local projects and putting differences aside to uplift our environment.”
Margie Kostelac, Santa Shoebox Project: My greatest wish for Benoni and its community in 2022 is to spread more love and share in the joy of giving hope to those less fortunate than ourselves.
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