The NPO, Better Bedfordview, hopes more residents will come on board. Wrapping up the year, chairperson Marina Constas said growing support from residents remains a challenge.

“The lion’s share of our income is from businesses, and these partnerships sometimes run for a limited time.

“To ensure that Better Bedfordview can make a sustainable impact, we cannot depend solely on businesses. We need all residents to donate R200 a month,” she said.

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Currently, Better Bedfordview is using its Loyalty Programme to drive support, and Constas hopes residents recognise the benefits it offers.

“If they donate R200 a month to Better Bedfordview, they can get this money back in savings when they shop or eat out at our incredible Loyalty Partners. It’s really a win-win for them and for our neighbourhood!”

She added, “We are also creating awareness of Better Bedfordview through our community events, and hope that everyone who attends annual fundraisers like the Movie Night and Spring Day Walk will also become a monthly contributing member.”

Better Bedfordview’s achievements for the year include:
• Repairing more than 1 000 potholes.
• Maintaining almost 70 000 m² of pavement gardens in Bedfordview, and weeding and repairing more than 23 km of paving.
• Growing the cleanup team to 25 previously unemployed people.
• Receiving Section 18A certification from the South African Revenue Service, making donations tax-deductible.
• Hosting hugely successful community-building and fundraising events, including the annual Movie Night, Golf Day, Jeppe Athletics Spring Day Walk, and their first Business Breakfast.
• Expanding the Better Neighbourhoods initiative, now including Better Primrose, Better Senderwood, Better Fourways, Better Edenvale, Better Linksfield, and Better Bryanston. These NPOs follow the Better Bedfordview model, harnessing the collective power of engaged citizens to improve neighbourhoods across South Africa.
• Growing the Better Bedfordview Loyalty Programme, now with 13 businesses offering exclusive discounts to monthly contributors.

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Constas extended her gratitude to main business sponsors, contributing businesses, and caring organisations and individuals who donate goods and services, including uniforms, auditing services, and web design. She also thanked all the residents who contribute to Better Bedfordview.

“My fellow Better Bedfordview directors, Anjela da Silva, Nikki Kettles, and Robi Massiceti, and all our wonderful, dedicated committee members. Our terrific team of Better Bedfordview workers, including our super-supervisor Lucky Mzindle,” Constas said.

She further highlighted an important new initiative to restore and rejuvenate the area around Bedfordview Town Hall and the shopping and dining strip around Bedford Arcade.

“This is going to be an exciting and impactful project next year, with huge benefits for local businesses, residents, visitors, and Bedfordview as a whole,” Constas said.