Kensington to launch Friends of Rhodes park
KENSINGTON – community coming together to make a change.
The community of Kensington has taken back Rhodes Park after many challenges.
Over the past few months, the community has been working together to restore the park to its former glory. Making the park safe again has been a priority after a gruesome double murder and gang rape in 2015.
Read: UPDATE: 3 guilty of Rhodes Park murders
In a bid to take the park back and make it safe again, a Friends of Rhodes Park committee will be launched. This committee will focus solely on overseeing improvements and hold the City of Joburg accountable for maintenance and security.
Ward 66 councillor Carlos da Rocha, together with the I love Kensington Association’s (Ilka) chairperson, Brendon Burmester, are calling concerned citizens to come forward and be part of the committee. Burmester said, “I believe a dedicated committee will yield better results. We have an overwhelming mandate from the community to deal with transgressors of bylaws, overcrowding in abandoned properties, illegal dumping and failing infrastructure.”
He said with all the challenges, there is a need for a committee that will be dedicated to addressing the issues. The Friends of Rhodes Park Committee would be accountable to Ilka but would function independently. Once the first meeting has been convened, duty bearers will be appointed to drive specific portfolios.
candidates can submit their interest by email.
Details: Deputy chair Hudson van Niekerk, hudson.vanniekerk@gmail.com
