Fourways force bids farewell

Advocate Jean Berdou has been described as an exceptional, rare and great community leader by fellow Fourways residents and business people.

Joburg north community members gathered at Lonehill Shopping Centre on October 8 to wish Berdou before he heads overseas. He said, “I’m emigrating to the United Kingdom later this year. I’ve recently accepted a job offer on a contract basis there.”

Berdou served as chairperson of the Joburg West Community Policing Forum Cluster, which includes Florida, Roodepoort, Linden, Randburg, Honeydew, Cosmo City, Douglasdale and Diepsloot. He was also a founding member of Future City Fourways.

He said he was confident that those left behind will serve the community with love. “I am confident that the replacement leadership we’ve trained will do a good job to provide and improve safety in the neighbourhood,” he added.

Chairperson of Douglasdale Community Policing Forum (CPF) Lizzy Mabena said Berdou laid a good foundation in Douglasdale CPF and served the community with love and passion. She said, as a previous chairperson of the CPF, Berdou did an excellent job in establishing the Douglasdale CPF into a functional and workable executive committee.

“He also established a great neighborhood watch within the Douglasdale precinct, which is something very important for a community. He is a great and formidable leader who taught me a number of things. We are truly grateful for his contribution to the Douglasdale community and wish him and his family all the best in UK,” said Mabena.

Ward 106 councillor Chris Santana said Berdou was a very proactive member in the community and always available to lend a helping hand. “He got along with almost everyone and worked hard to fight crime in the neighbourhood,” he said.