THE push is on to get the final votes that will determine the course of establishing the Manor Garden Urban Improvement Project (MGUIP) after the community organisation was granted an extension of 10 days by the eThekwini Economic Development Unit to complete voting.

The initial deadline for vote casting was set to Thursday, October 31, but it has since been extended to Sunday, November 10, according to the chairperson of the MGUIP Steering Committee, Shaun Kruger.

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He said, “During this time, homeowners or ratepayers could cast their votes online or on paper, and since we want to establish a combined (mixed use) Special Ratings Area, we require the support of 66%+1 of residential properties (single, multiple and complexes) and 50%+1 of business properties,”

This translates to 512 residential votes and 11 votes from businesses. By the time voting closed on Thursday, the MGUIP had garnered 411 residential votes and nine business votes in favour of the setting up of the civic organisation.

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“Over the past four weeks, we have had amazing responses and votes of support for the establishment of the MGUIP. It is heartwarming to see so many members of the community coming out and voting for change, voting to save Manor Gardens and to take ownership of the beautiful area we live in. While this is slightly below our target, we are so close to achieving our goal and to restoring Manor Gardens to the safe, clean, green and family-friendly neighbourhood it once was,” said Kruger.

A total of 100 more votes is needed to give the green light to get the MGUIP up and running. “My request to you all now is, please vote if you have not. And if you already have, speak to your neighbour and speak to your friends in the area and get them to stand up and get involved in the vote. Together, we can make an impact and create a more vibrant and thriving community,” said Kruger.

For more information on MGUIP and the ongoing vote, visit their website – https://mguip.co.za/ or their social media page, Manor Gardens UIP on Facebook. Each property owned in the geographical area is entitled to one vote.

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