WRAP Residents Association stepping up to secure and beautify their suburbs
The registered non-profit company has had JMPD remove illegal signage and private entities securing electrical infrastructure.
A concerned collective is lighting a fire under neighbours and municipal entities alike.
WRAP Residents Association has been relentless in ensuring the needs of their community are met. Like many resident associations, WRAP was established to address service delivery challenges, with the registered non-profit company catering to residents in Willowbrook, Ruimsig, Amarosa and Poortview. When they are not rolling up their sleeves or collaborating with the area’s businesses, they are a constant thorn in the side of the municipality.
One gripe of WRAP leadership is illegal signage and on June 23, JMPD went on a tour of the suburb removing boards and banners from outside businesses premises and residential developments. The JMPD traffic warden carrying out the confiscation said the boards would be taken to the impound in central Johannesburg and the owners could have them back upon paying a fine of R3 501.
WRAP Director Martin van der Westhuizen explained that as well as aesthetic reasons, illegal signage was a by-law infringement that was depriving the City of Johannesburg of much-needed funds. Non-compliant real estate advertising boards have also been in WRAP’s crosshairs. As Martin explains, having a clutter of real estate boards outside a residence or housing complex can imply residents are in a hurry to leave, suggesting a ‘less is more’ tactic to purvey a sense of exclusivity.
WRAP’s most notable achievement so far has been the securing of 10 mini substations and the sourcing of funding for an additional two. As of June 22, WRAP had collected enough to pay suppliers over R40 000 for the welding and locking of the minisubs. The area’s electrical infrastructure was regularly targeted by vandals and since securing the boxes, the suburbs have had limited unplanned outages.
The largest of the corporate contributors have been JAC Motors, Wize Eyes The Falls and Super Quick Ruimsig while security companies Absolut, BCI, DMS and EC keep a vigilant eye out. Details of the various WhatsApp information group can be found at wrapra.co.za or by searching Facebook and Twitter.
