Need NPO launches for a ‘Better Fourways’

Raffaela Carnicelli and her team of inspiring individuals are determined to change the negative narrative surrounding the Fourways area. Together, they launched Better Fourways, a non-profit organisation that aims to have a positive impact on the community.

With a shared vision and a passion for creating change, Susan Harwood, Pernille Martin, Karen Cox, and Trish Guilford joined forces with Carnicelli to make ‘Better Fourways’ a dream come true.

Carnicelli said what initiated the organisation was general conversations they had with businesses and homeowners. There were always complaints that nothing was being done in the suburb in terms of the grass, litter, graffiti, vagrants, and hijacking of traffic lights among others.

“So, I said we should change this negative thinking to what can we do to fix these problems? And incredibly we then started talking about solutions. We are serious about cleaning up our neighbourhood and invited residents and business owners to join us in this venture by committing to it, either in an individual or corporate capacity, so we can get going on what needs to be done.”

Better Fourways was officially launched on March 2 in Broadacres. The organisation was met with a warm welcome from residents during the launch.

“They were very excited that we have created this opportunity for us all to get involved and to get our suburb back to what it was. We already have sponsors and people donating to this cause which affects us all in terms of a better standard of living and our property prices – and the more people that join, the more we can do to make big differences in our lives. This includes not only a more aesthetically pleasing environment, enhancing our property prices, upgrading our safety – but also includes uplifting those we employ in the process.”

Fourways used to be a clean, well-maintained suburb with hardly any litter or slums with vagrants in open areas according to Carnicelli.

“There was proper storm water drainage on main roads when it rained and better control of where taxis parked. Traffic lights were working, no litter or illegal dumping on verges, no informal traders selling on provincial roads which is illegal. Another problem is the proliferation of multi-living complexes. The ageing infrastructure cannot cope with the increased volumes of traffic and strain on the water/sewerage systems.”

The launch was their way of gaging how Fourways residents would react.

“It was very well received as many residents wanted to help but did not know how to. The feeling is everyone is so busy that they don’t have time to manage something like this. They are happy to contribute and know that someone will be doing something positive in their suburb.

“A lot of initiatives like these have been around, come and gone, but failed. I think one of the reasons for their failure is that they were never transparent, people donated and funds were used for the wrong reasons. We are going to account for every cent we get and it is going to the beautification of Fourways and not someone’s pockets.”

“Our first phase is cleanup of Winnie Mandela Drive from Steyn City to Witkoppen, Cedar Rd from Dainfern to Witkoppen Rd and Witkoppen Rd between Winnie Mandela and Cedar. Phase two is Winnie Mandela Dr from Witkoppen Rd to N1 highway. In total we looking at approximately 35kms of roads or +- 250 000m2.”

Related article: Local NPO embarks on a cleaning spree