In response to the escalating pothole crisis in Ward 2, AfriForum’s Noord van die Berg branch has launched an urgent community initiative known as the R200 Challenge to address the issue.
With local roads deteriorating and the municipality struggling to keep up with the repair schedule, this grassroots effort aims to harness resident contributions to fund essential repairs.
Sampie Steinberg of the branch said potholes have become a significant concern and safety hazard in Ward 2, leading to vehicle damage and frustration among residents.
He said despite the council’s best efforts, the volume of repair requests has overwhelmed capacity, prompting the community action.
“The initiative encourages each resident of Ward 2 to contribute R200 to AfriForum Noord van die Berg fund.
“The initiative has been endorsed by the Ward 2 councillor, Quentin Meyer, who has committed to personally leading the charge by making his contribution,” said Steinberg.
He said AfriForum Noord has already demonstrated effective pothole repair work over the past three weeks, and with additional funding, they aim to expand these efforts.
“We have already started with the initiative in Ward 2, we have already used two tons of tar to repair potholes in the area.
“Meyer approached us and asked if we could help the metro to fix potholes, as they have limited resources.
“Residents must still report potholes to the metro and we can only assist in the small potholes, as we have the skills to fix smaller potholes,” he said.
Steinberg said by pooling resources, residents have a unique opportunity to directly influence the quality of their roads and overall safety.
Meyer said residents are invited to deposit into the designated account, using the reference, “NVDB” or “Noord van die Berg”, to ensure proper allocation of funds.
“After making a payment, participants are requested to email their proof of payment to Quentin Meyer at quentinm@tshwane.gov.za.”
Meyer said the funds will be used to address the most critical pothole repairs as identified by local authorities and AfriForum Noord van die Berg.
“This collaborative effort aims to not only improve road conditions but also foster a stronger sense of community and shared responsibility.”
He emphasised the importance of community involvement.
“Our roads are a vital part of our daily life, and it’s up to us to take action.
“The initiative is a practical way for each resident to contribute towards a solution. Every contribution counts and will make a tangible difference in improving our roads.”
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
