Working to save save Fourways from another Clay Oven

Better Fourways, a non-profit organisation, is calling for community support to raise R200 000 to prevent, ‘their beloved community from turning into another Clay Oven’.

With informal settlements beginning to emerge at the corner of Witkoppen Road and Winnie Mandela Drive, there is growing concern among locals about the steady rise of informal settlements in their area.

To combat this, the orginisation is asking for help with a R200 000 donation to fence around the area. “This is to secure the area and prevent further expansion of the informal settlement,” says Raffaella Carniceli, chairperson for Better Fourways.

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Carniceli explained that this is not just a plea for help but a call to protect Fourways and its people. “Clay Oven started small but quickly grew into a settlement fraught with safety concerns, infrastructure challenges, and devastating incidents.

“The settlement is still in its early stages, but we all know how quickly these situations can spiral out of control.”

She says, if left unchecked, it won’t take long before the challenges on infrastructure, safety, and health hazards emerge, affecting both the residents and the surrounding community.

“This is our moment to take action. We cannot afford to wait until the situation becomes another Clay Oven, where the issues have become deeply entrenched, and lives are at risk,” said Carniceli.

John Giannopoulos, from Meshtech Fencing, has already subsised part of the cost for the 300 meters of fence to contain the area and prevent the settlement from growing.

Ward 93 councillor David Foley has also been arranging the administration side of the project, co-ordinating with provincial officials to ensure everything moves forward smoothly.

“Ensuring the safety and security of our community is my top priority. I’m grateful for the support from provincial officials, and together we are determined to prevent this situation from escalating into another Clay Oven.

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“I have engaged with provincial roads to get a wayleave documentation which permits us to put up the fence, we have received the document, and we are in progress with the application of the wayleave. This is a very important project as we are trying to save the area from turning into an informal settlement, as informal settlements devalue the value of areas and properties,” said Foley.

Better Fourways is reaching out to residents, businesses, and potential sponsors to help raise the remaining R200 000. “Your contributions will not only fund the fence but will also signify our commitment to maintaining the safety and integrity of our community,” added Carniceli.

Fourways Review spoke to residents living in the informal settlement; Sphiwe Ntuli was appointed spokesperson by the residents. Ntuli acknowledged that there is littering in the area but explained the dire circumstances they face.

“We understand if they want to move us from here, but what we are asking for is help with better housing. We stay here because we don’t have places to go and are looking for jobs here in Fourways. We are not going to move without proper assistance for accommodation from the city. Staying here keeps us close to many places where we can try to work for money,” he said.

A BackaBuddy campaign has been established to raise funds for this project. Here is the link: Backabuddy.co.za/campaign/better-fourways.

For more information, or to make donations, you can contact Raffaella Carnicelli at: raffi.c@mweb.co.za, or visit their website at: Betterfourways.org.za.

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