#YourStory – Resident makes a difference
Inyoni Creek resident, Ms Pam Hadden believes that all of us should strive to do what we can to better our communities.
Inyoni Creek resident, Ms Pam Hadden believes that all of us should strive to do what we can to better our communities.
Ms Hadden is one resident who does not sit and complain when things are not being done. Instead she makes sure that the relevant people take responsibility and resolve whatever issues arise.
Earlier this year, she contacted the NEWS when she felt like all her pleas to fix the traffic lights at the Greenstone intersection were falling on deaf ears.
“When I contacted the paper I was concerned that it was just a matter of time before a horrible accident occurred at that intersection and I felt I needed to do something. For a long time, the Van Riebeek Avenue and Modderfontein Road intersection has been the bane of my life. Regarded by some as one of the most dangerous intersections in Ekurhuleni, I decided to make this intersection safe to travel through. I finally made a breakthrough when I found an article in the NEWS with Ward 32 councillor Clr Bongani Nkomo and Traffic Engineer Mr Owen Wheelan. I contacted Clr Nkomo early this year who then contacted the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA). After many emails by both of us, we decided to contact the NEWS and my concerns were published and the JRA finally came to party and fixed the problem,” said Ms Hadden.
Ms Hadden said she was happy the traffic lights and direction arrows were put up and even though there is still more to be done, she is happy with the progress that has been made. Born in Cape Town, Ms Hadden said her family moved to the old Transvaal when she was four years old. While attending Jeppe High School for Girls, she met her husband Mr Arthur Hadden who attended Jeppe High School for Boys and they fell in love.
“We have been married for 56 years. We started our married life in Kensington and later moved to Bedfordview where we lived for 37 years,” said Ms Hadden. During that time, she became a police reservist and worked in the Bedfordview Charge Office for a few hours a week.
“What a mind- changing experience that was. We have a son Houston, a daughter in Dallas and three grandchildren,” she said.
“My husband and I always work as a team and he is always involved in everything I do. We work well together and we are both community orientated. We joined Jeppe Quondam Club where he played rugby, hockey and ran for the athletics section. I played hockey and gained provincial colours,” said Ms Hadden.
For health reasons, she joined Bedfordview Run Walk for Life and is competitive.
“I found a new sport, race walking, and I competed in the SAMA Africa Track and Field Championships. I won a bronze medal in my age group in the 5 000 metres. Moving to Inyoni Creek was the best decision and a blessing because the place feels like home. We did not believe that at our age, we could meet and make such good friends. We are both involved in the activities at Inyoni. Arthur is the president of Inyoni Creek Probus Club and also a ‘Naked’ chef.”
Mr Hadden said his wife is always eager to lend a hand and she knows everybody by name at Inyoni Creek.
“Recently when the cables went off at the complex, she took it upon herself to contact the company responsible on behalf of all the residents who were affected and the problem was resolved. She remembers everyone’s birthday and always make sure that everyone gets a rose on their birthday,” said Mr Hadden.
