This has been a year of many challenges according to Ward 74 councillor Dave Fisher.
“We have been successful in resolving many of these. Some serious and far reaching issues are still to be turned around,” he said.
Fisher said one big improvement has been in the James and Ethel Gray Park. “Vagrants and recyclers in our parks, especially this one, have been a source of serious concern for many residents who have engaged me on this difficult problem.”
He added that there has been a welcome improvement in the park, thanks to public/private partnerships with local residents and businesses. He extended the community’s thanks and appreciation to all those involved and encouraged other residents to initiate this sort of real improvement in the area.
Another huge achievement during the year has been the formation of Community Police Forums in the Norwood police precinct. This has allowed residents to be actively engaged with the law enforcement authorities and to receive feedback and encourage the positive interaction between the community and SAPS and Metro police. The Bramley CPF continues to work well. Again, Fisher extended the communitys’ thanks and appreciation to the dedicated residents who are involved in this important issue.
Of great concern is the increase in serious crime, highlighted by the shooting, with serious injury, during a house robbery and the murder of a woman during a hijacking. Criminals, generally, are often characterised as people who have lost all hope of a decent life, are desperate to survive and have nothing to lose. The social fabric of our society is stretched to the limit and is in grave danger of rupturing, according to Fisher.
The councilor said the underlying cause of this degradation is the worsening economic environment. The official unemployment rate (29.1 per cent) is rising; the outlook for economic growth has been revised down to 0.5per cent and is slipping. South Africa desperately needs an economic revival to ensure that the poorest of the poor can share meaningfully in our common goal for a prosperous and stable society. The large and growing pool of very poor South Africans is a great threat to our common future. Fisher said there is a need to urgently address this at all levels, politically, economically and socially.
As the year comes to an end, Fisher would like to thank all residents for their support and encouragement, especially the many who have been active in reporting and monitoring service delivery issues. “I have received support and service from the City’s various departments and it is often these special relationships that produce the extra bit of service that we, the residents, appreciate. For this I thank them.
May all our residents enjoy a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to 2020 in which we continue to grow and prosper as a nation.”
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