Better Bedfordview hits the streets

The Better Bedfordview steering committee, who are all residents and volunteers, recently organised visibility days to showcase the importance of the initiative, and its drive to make Bedfordview better.

March 13, 2022

Charmaine Slater 2 minutes read

Another part of the drive was for teams from the initiative to be out and about in Bedfordview conducting various clean-up operations.

Better Bedfordview is on a drive to raise awareness of the upliftment initiative.

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The non-profit initiative, which was started by Bedfordview’s Residents Action Group (RAG), aims to clean up Bedfordview.

The Better Bedfordview steering committee recently organised visibility days to showcase the importance of the initiative, and its drive to make Bedfordview better.

As part of its visibility drive, Better Bedfordview members set aside time on March 5 to meet with residents and businesses.

The meet-and-greet took place in the Pick n Pay court of Bedford Centre.

“Better Bedfordview is good for residents and even better for businesses,” said RAG and Better Bedfordview chairperson Marina Constas.

She added the awareness campaign marked the start of some exciting developments for Better Bedfordview.

“RAG started the Better Bedfordview initiative because we were tired of the failure by the municipality to do the required cleaning and maintenance. Now, with the help of residents, we are taking Better Bedfordview forward as its separate entity.

“Our goal is to make Better Bedfordview stronger, to have a greater impact on keeping our area clean, neat and beautiful, protecting our property values and putting pressure on the municipality for efficient service delivery and the effective use of our rates and taxes.”

Another part of the drive was for teams from the initiative to be out and about in Bedfordview, conducting various clean-up operations.

The non-profit initiative, which was started by Bedfordview’s Residents Action Group (RAG) aims to clean-up Bedfordview.

“We hope many more residents know about Better Bedfordview after seeing the team with banners and the clean-up crew working on Van der Linde Road Bridge. We also had an awareness day at Bedford Centre, where residents could come and find out more and join Better Bedfordview.”

Constas urged all residents to join Better Bedfordview for an annual membership fee of R360.

“Please sign up now if you want a safe, clean, green, beautiful Bedfordview to benefit all; if you want to protect and grow your property values; and if you want to be part of a collaborative community initiative that gives residents and ratepayers a powerful united voice and platform through which to access information and to raise and address all issues concerning our suburb,” Constas said.

She stressed that the Better Bedfordview initiative is not a substitute for efficient service delivery from the City of Ekurhuleni.

“Our goal is to be a liaison between community members, businesses and the municipality. The more members and support that Better Bedfordview has, the more we will use our collective influence to effect change and help to ensure the effective, efficient use of our rates and taxes.”

Constas thanked all the volunteers who contributed to the success of the recent Better Bedfordview awareness days, as well as sponsors.

“Our stand was sponsored by Bedford Centre. We could have a fun competition for residents who visited the stand, with great prizes sponsored by Shemer Jewellers and Vini’s restaurant. We are enormously grateful to our generous sponsors. Community spirit like this is what it is all about!”

To find out more about Better Bedfordview or to join, call RAG on 011 455 4120 and speak to Judy.

Sign up by visiting www.bedfordviewrag.co.za/donations/ or fill in a debit order form by visiting www.bedfordviewrag.co.za/debit-order/