The meeting at the Klipkerk Hall was opened in prayer by Pastor, Ferdinand van Niekerk, and officiated by Charles Barry, in the absence of Kerryn Powell.
Chairman of Vryheid Tourism, Gustav Rohrs then shared observations made by himself and his wife, Rheta.
“We decided to drive around like tourists and see the town from a different perspective,” said Rohrs. He went on to explain the magnitude of the tourism industry in Vryheid and surrounding areas, and elaborated on the list the couple had compiled, detailing where attention needed to be given. Rohrs was thankful however, for the work done and being done to fix potholes and improve traffic signage. The Ntingonono Environmental Centre on Vryheid Hill and the Klipfontein Dam, were also mentioned as areas requiring immediate, drastic attention, and Rohrs encouraged all residents to work together to improve Vryheid and surrounds.
“Please take a drive yourselves and see how beautiful the entrances of the town are.” However, Lakeside resident, Rhoda Limburgh commented on the challenges faced by Lakeside residents.
“There are no dustbins along the roadsides for people to throw rubbish into, Lakeside Community Hall is a mess, taxi ranks and bus shelters are not kept clean and even a park is being used inappropriately.”
As she made her point, Charles Barry interjected to reiterate the fundamental role of iCityZN – collaboration.
“We can moan and complain all we want, but where does that get us and how does that make us feel?
“The questions we need to remember are: what can we do about all these things, and what can I, as a citizen, do? iCityZN is here to put people in touch with each other and facilitate collaboration, joining people’s hands so to speak. We want to hear about people doing positive things together. It is important we stick to collaboration and being positive. How can we help each other?”
Barry said a good example of this was how Vryheid Tourism and the Dutch Reformed Church had joined hands, to clean up the Vryheid area.
He said this signified the purpose of iCityZN. A few members then explained they were not aware of any positive community projects underway at present, at which point representatives of the Vryheid Herald offered assistance, in terms of creating awareness by providing contact details of people involved with such initiatives.
iCityZN newcomer, Marilize Janse van Rensburg was then invited to share her experience with the campaign thus far.
“I got the wrong understanding from Facebook. I really feel I can do so much more for the community. In church, we are told to love our neighbour, but I just don’t know how or where to get involved. We donate clothes and food for the less fortunate, and we bring these items to church, but you never really know where it actually goes. I dream of getting involved, especially with welfare. I now realise I can get involved with existing projects, as I know where to find out what’s going on,” she explained.
Pastor van Niekerk added, “I trust that if we grow together and help each other, there will be something for everybody to do. Clean, repair, paint and plant – that is what we are aiming to achieve, by following the example of former war-torn town, Coligny in the North West Province.
“There is a prayer group in the chapel praying for this meeting right now, and we also need to get the sector leaders together to ensure collaboration.”
Given an opportunity to speak, Councillor, Magda Viktor said residents needed to all ‘take ownership and pride of our own area’.
Marga Baron volunteered to represent community-based projects, and welcomed others to contact her in this regard.
The Vryheid Herald also extended an invitation to residents and representatives of organisations, to share any information regarding community enhancing projects, so as to facilitate collaboration.
For more information, visit https://icityzn.site123.me/
Also read: ICityzn heads reach out to municipal leadership
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