Take a CUE from Cloete
“It's important to remember our past but we need to embrace this initiative as a community and create an Edenvale for everyone.”
In the hopes of restoring Edenvale to its former glory, Vernon Cloete started an initiative to address service delivery concerns in town.
Initially founded in 2016, the initiative, Clean Up Edenvale or Community Uplift Edenvale (CUE), is set to be officially launched at the start of March.
Vernon, who strongly believes in community spirit, is also the founder of Rand Road Warriors Edenvale.
Vernon said each year the running club assists charities in Edenvale through funds raised by its annual marathon.
He explained that he wanted to build upon the community spirit established by the club by launching CUE.
The initiative hopes to empower community members and encourage them to get involved in improving their town.
He explained that CUE’s Facebook page was started after noticing the deterioration of the town.
“I saw the abuse of the law, the town deteriorating and community members checking out of town and I wanted to do something to change that.”
One of the areas Vernon hopes the initiative will tackle first is the Avenues.
“The avenues are not boomed off and properties in them have deteriorated.
“We need to rebuild and restore the avenues and get young families back in them.”
Besides improving certain areas of the town, CUE will connect community members with those such as ward councillors and other organisations which can help them.
“I have already been asked if I will work with organisations such as Edenvale City Improvement district.
“CUE will act as an umbrella organisation working in partnership with individuals and other groups.”
Through CUE, community members will be able to highlight areas of concern or service delivery delays which will be brought to the municipality’s attention.
Vernon said he does not want this initiative to be seen as Vernon’s project but rather Edenvale’s project.
“It will be a community-driven project with a united democratic front of all community members with one mission, to make Edenvale a beautiful town for its residents.”
He highlighted that it needs the community’s eyes, ears and enthusiasm if it is going to succeed.
Vernon emphasised that any form of racism will not be tolerated.
“It’s important to remember our past but we need to embrace this initiative as a community and create an Edenvale for everyone.”
“Instead of checking out, the people of Edenvale need to check in and do something.”
Vernon told the NEWS he is in discussion with RRW Edenvale to launch the initiative with the running club.
Visit CUE’s Facebook page for more information.
