WITH more than 1000 service delivery issues reportedly recorded, the Glenwood and Bulwer Ratepayers and Residents Association (GBRRA) is calling on residents and businesses to take a more active role in shaping the future of their neighbourhoods.

The GBRRA will hold its AGM on Tuesday, November 24, at the Berea Bowling Club, providing members with an opportunity to reflect on the past year and discuss the priorities for the year ahead. For the association, the message is simple: “Strong communities are built by people who are willing to get involved.”

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“A ratepayers association is about much more than raising complaints with the municipality. It is about bringing residents, property owners, businesses and community stakeholders together to protect, maintain and improve the areas in which they live and work. From advocating for better service delivery and safer streets to protecting green spaces and engaging with local government, the GBRRA believes that organised community involvement can make a meaningful difference.

“Communities with active residents and strong civic organisations are often better positioned to address their challenges. We cannot expect government to solve every problem without communities also playing their part. Our role is to work together, identify problems and push for practical, lasting solutions,” said the chairperson, Keyuren Maharaj.

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Through CityMender, a locally-developed service delivery monitoring and tracking platform, the association has reportedly been able to record, monitor and follow up on faults affecting the area.

The GBRRA is developing a comprehensive set of proposed service-level targets for municipal service delivery, aimed at establishing clearer expectations around how quickly different types of faults should be addressed.

“We understand that municipal departments face staff shortages, financial pressures, ageing infrastructure and resource constraints. Our responsibility is to help bridge the gap between residents and the municipality by providing reliable information, identifying recurring problems and advocating for better planning and accountability,” added Maharaj.

Residents and businesses interested in learning more about the association, its community projects or becoming members can visit www.glenwoodratepayers.co.za.

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