I object to the WHOLE of Western Extension being painted by the same brush.
We, the local residents, are very proud of the “upper area”” of Western Extension, with its historical buildings, beautifully renovated houses, well kept gardens, antique shops, boutique restaurants, classy coffee shops, bridal shop, popular pubs, etc.
In fact, Russel Street is very often referred to as Benoni’s “little Melville”, as it used to be.
The lower area of Western Extension, which we refer to as “down town”, in between lovely houses, is where the problem lies, with prostitutes, drug houses, drug lords, drug mules, furniture on pavements, filth, rubbish, long grass on pavements, unpainted, shocking looking buildings and houses, unkempt gardens with illegal shacks and plastic shelters.
A total disgrace. An embarrassment to the whole of Benoni.
The difference can clearly be observed when driving away from “Down Town”” towards the “Upper area” and must be mentioned, led by the ward councillor.
Here I would like to commend Clr Goby for having spent some of her budget on bringing a task team which finally tended to the council curbs, pavements and the general well-being of the area.
The strange split in our area has always been confusing for the residents.
For some reason the City Hall, CBD and local swimming pool all belong to another ward. Why, why, why?
Please somebody, can lower Western Extension fall under Clr Goby, then at least something will be done to eradicate this decay!
Clr Ngobese is, perhaps, too busy upgrading other areas, and perhaps his area is too large to cope with the Benoni CBD and the “down town” area as well?
Who do we request to relook at the divisions?
We want to help, we want the WHOLE of Western Extension to be pristine, an area to be proud of. In fact, the whole of Benoni needs to support the drive to return our town into the “Jewel of the East Rand” it once was.
