Crippling metro strike gripped the city
The Centurion municipal offices were closed on Tuesday, July 25, a day after the illegal strikes began, as striking workers created a fire barricade at the offices entrance.
Multiple clinics were closed across the city as services ground to a halt, and violent attacks shut down the city’s bus and refuse removal services.
“There are hard-working staff members who are assisting during this illegal strike, but their safety is at risk,” said ward councillor David Farquharson at the time.
What followed was weeks of disruptions as residents bore the brunt of the results.
By the end of July, residents in Wierdapark, Eldoraigne and Raslouw were left in the dark as councillors had to battle with one-man switching teams.
Private security companies assisted teams responding to critical problems while information about issues was withheld for the safety of those working.
“The turn-around time on service matters is hampered due to the lack of staff, intimidation of workers and administrative matters that have to go through the chain of command to get approved,” said ward councillor Marika Kruger-Muller in early August.
By September, councillors and residents took matters into their own hands in an attempt to combat the effects of the strike.
Wierdapark Residents Association (WPRA) chairperson Liza Vorster was concerned about the health risks associated with the many unattended sewerage leaks in the area.
“We now have to step in where we can,” said Vorster in September.
The metro finally announce the end to the strikes on 10 November.
“Tshwane is delighted to announce that all municipal services are operational and that the crippling unlawful and unprotected strike which lasted for a little over three months, is finally over, said metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba.
Garden refuse sites
In March, residents near the Rooihuiskraal garden refuse sites complained of a horrible smell emanating from the facility.
The complaints marked the beginning of a rocky year for the sites which were often over-burdened and heavily affected later in the year by the illegal metro strike.
Tshwane cleared a backlog of refuse that had been causing the stink in March by mid-April, and in May undertook to increase control over the sites through no permit, no entry policies and enforcing illegal dumping controls.
However, all gains were lost when the metro strike began as some residents and unscrupulous businesses resorted to dumping trash along the roads outside garden refuse sites in August.
Ward councillor Cindy Billson urged residents to report illegal dumping, while huge mounds of waste started topping the walls of nearby estates after eight weeks of no waste collection in some parts.
To make matters worse, the garbage caught alight at several facilities over the three months, raising fears of toxic fumes in the air.
Billson correctly predicted after the first fire in September that it would not be the last, as she and other residents attempted to clear the refuse through community efforts.
By November, the illegally dumped refuse was finally cleared as the city battled to clear the last of the backlog caused by the strikes.
Centurion can boast the best in the country
In August, Centurion resident and fan-favorite, Natasha Joubert was crowned Miss South Africa in Pretoria on August 13.
“I am incredibly honoured and humbled to be crowned Miss South Africa 2023. As I step into this new role, I am filled with a sense of responsibility to make a positive difference in the world around me,” said Joubert.
The former Bakenkop Primary School and Eldoraigne High School learner said that her mother, Ninette, always believed in her potential.
“I want to focus on approaching large organizations to award more scholarships. I know from my days on City Campus how difficult it is for students to obtain funding,” she told Rekord.
Centurion once again proved that it is blessed with talent after Eldoraigne resident Tiaan Massyn (30) was crowned Mr South Africa at a glamorous grand finale at Vodacom Dome in Midrand in November.
“After months of hard work, the past week was filled with long days and late nights and a lot of stress but also a healthy anticipation for the big night,” Massyn told Rekord.
“In this time, amazing friendships were formed and a real brotherhood created.”
Massyn said he planned to use the title to tackle a cause close to his heart, accessible primary eye care and mental health awareness, especially for men.
Neighbourhoods take a rally behind safety
This year, several neighbourhoods took the stope of creating security areas in an effort to protect the safety of the residents living there.
Eldo Urban, Eldoraigne Villiage, Eldo Heights, Bishop Bird Villiage, Eldoraigne X18 Security Villiage, and Eldo Forest Security Villiage all took steps to create security areas.
Jaco Van Zyl, a resident leading the move in Eldoraigne Villiage told Rekord that the process to apply for restricted access had been long, but that he was glad that they hadnot given up, in May.
“The streets will be open, our kids can ride their bikes in the streets, old people can walk around the block and residents can go for runs in the morning without having to worry,” he said.
In November, Eldo Urban took a big step in their initiative with the construction of the Wiavind Fence along a portion of Ruimte Avenue on the eastern side of the neighbourhood.
Spokesperson Ben van Niekerk said that the installation of cameras in the area had already proven to be successful in reducing crime, with the fence soon showing less camera triggers once it had been constructed.
“We are hoping we will get approval from the council by early next year to take the process forward,” he told Rekord.
Ward councillor Cindy Billson said that the process could be daunting.
“So, helping communities to establish a safe area where they can live is a priority,” she said.
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