Paulshof central community comes together

PAULSHOF – Paulshof central residents have formed their own organisation, the PRA, in order to help address issues such as crime and maintenance in the area.

March 19, 2020

Robyn Kirk 2 minutes read

Bevan Fry, the chairperson of the Paulshof Residents Association, holds up the different coloured cards attendees used to vote on matters during the meeting. Photos: Robyn Kirk

Paulshof central residents face a number of issues, including crime, traffic and maintenance of the area. Recently they had the chance to raise and address these concerns during a community meeting held in the area.

The newly-formed Paulshof Residents Association (PRA), made up of the members of the Paulshof Action Team (PAT), hosted their annual town hall meeting and inaugural annual general meeting on 25 February at the Nova Pioneer school.

During the meeting, residents and tenants of the area voted on a number of matters including security measures for the area. *Photo: Robyn Kirk*

Almost every seat was filled as residents from the Paulshof central area took the chance to learn more about the newly-registered non-profit organisation, discuss community issues and vote on decisions on how the PRA will function and the work it will do in the future. Paulshof central covers the area from Umhlanga Avenue, to where the K60 road is planned, down to the Braamfontien Spruit and up to Witkoppen Road and comprises about 250 households in total.

“We formed the PRA because while the Paulshof Residents and Ratepayers Association [PRRA, which has been in existence for years] does amazing work for the Paulshof area generally, we wanted to focus a bit more especially on central Paulshof and the issues that face the households here,” explained Bevan Fry, the PRA chairperson. “Some of our committee members are still on the PRRA board.”

The three-hour-long meeting began with a message from Claudia Pienaar, the principal of Nova Pioneer, before councillor for Ward 93 (which includes the Paulshof central area) Candice James was invited to speak.

ALSO READ: Ward 115 residents want service delivery answers

Homeowners and tenants were each given both a green and red card for the proceedings, which they used to vote either for or against suggested solutions to a number of issues, such as how to approach garden maintenance in the area, who could be involved with the PRA and whether or not security cameras should be placed along the greenbelt (a measure approved by voters).

In order to address security even further, two attendees even volunteered to sponsor the installation of solar-powered lights on the green belt (at about R6 000 each) and fundraisers will soon be held to raise the money for more to be installed.