Community comes alive for …
Weltevreden Park — Like a puzzle, a community pieces together and when taking a step back, the value of the broader project becomes evident. More than added security and greater than just volunteers, the Honeydew Community Policing Forum (CPF) is a collaborative force for cohesion. Eager to give the people they serve a day in
Like a puzzle, a community pieces together and when taking a step back, the value of the broader project becomes evident.
More than added security and greater than just volunteers, the Honeydew Community Policing Forum (CPF) is a collaborative force for cohesion. Eager to give the people they serve a day in the sun, the Honeydew CPF brought their annual fun run and market day back to the streets on September 24. Returning to Weltevreden Primary School, residents and role players mingled in a successful championing of community.
The hearts were pumping early as 240 community members put on their running shoes for the fun run. The gun went off at 08:30 and while the serious runners bolted out the gates, fathers pushed prams and mothers coddled children as they took a gentle stroll around their beautiful suburb. Doing a lap inside the school grounds, they exited down Rooihout Avenue, did a lap of the greenbelt then marched back to the school fields for the finish.
Those who stayed behind toured the 70 stalls that offered hand-crafted curios, home-made delights and promoted charities and causes for all interests. Interspersed between the traders, the volunteer first responders were on hand for a friendly meet and greet. ComMed Emergency Services, Community Group Firefighters Association and Emergency Control South Africa were all ready to spread their community spirit.
Inside the hall, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) provided a chance for community members to give a little extra of themselves. Weltevreden Park Primary learner, Vikeshlyn Govender had a special table set up to assist the SANBS and along with friends, helped with 44 blood donations and raised over R1 500 in gold ribbon sales. At just 13 years old, Vikeshlyn has taken on many charity endeavours in memory of his sister, Shanaya, who passed away in 2019 due to a rare form of cancer.
No community day would be complete without those who serve as valued information platforms for residents. RiverWel, Welview and Welridge Residents Associations were all in attendance with Panorama Residents Association strongly represented by those in the Honeydew CPF shirts. Senior Honeydew police leadership showed their support as Station Commander Brigadier Anesh Maharaj and VisPol Commander Colonel Johan Theunissen were in attendance, among others.
The contribution of private security companies can never be understated. EC Security provided gate control while NYPD, SB Security, Fidelity ADT and Community Support Services (CSS) all displayed their collective might. CSS demonstrated their brand-new pressurised water tanker while Beagle Watch, which together with property specialists RealNet Randburg sponsored water stations, held another pet micro-chipping day for animal lovers.
The host organisation could not help throwing in a crime-awareness display, as CPF patrollers, police and private security showed attendees what taking down a criminal looks like, roughing up a would-be criminal. Proud of the efforts of the 50 patrollers on the day as well as work done by everyone who contributed to the well-organised event, Honeydew CPF PRO Michael Steyn said, “We just want to thank everyone who attended and took part. We are looking forward to the next one which will be bigger and better!”
