They made a lot of promises when it came to tackling urban decay, fixing service delivery, and, perhaps most notoriously, getting Fourways’ broken traffic lights back in order.

At the time, it all sounded like a dream, but oh boy, have they not delivered. Since the establishment of the Fourways Improvement District, under Ward 94 councillor David Foley, the area has seen tangible change.

From reviving 19 dead traffic lights and successfully lobbying to return their maintenance to Johannesburg Roads Agency, to the bold move of stationing officers at intersections to protect robots from informal traffic directors, the wins have been hard to ignore. Add to that the removal of illegal street vendors, the crackdown on taxi violations, and the installation of bollards to restore order, Fourways is slowly transforming into the district many residents were promised.

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On the ground, the work is being carried out daily by security officers like Innocent Ditshego, who works under Fidelity for the Fourways Improvement District. He has become a familiar face at busy intersections.

“We’re trying by all means to improve the district of Fourways,” he said, adding that one of the biggest challenges is illegal vendors and workers who stand in the middle of the road. “By law, they’re not supposed to be here. It’s dangerous for them, and for motorists. When cars speed through the robots, someone could get hurt, but, compared to when we first arrived, things are much better.

The traffic flows now. Guarding robots is not like guarding a gate; it’s security on another level, but we love it because we enjoy protecting people.” His colleague, officer Bayanda Mbatha, shared a similar view.

“It’s been quite some experience. Our job is to protect the area, and chase away street vendors and beggars who put themselves and others at risk. Sometimes people are difficult to deal with, but we have a reaction team on patrol, and, if needed, the police step in.

We always try to resolve it peacefully. We know how to behave like security officers, how to protect our clients, and keep order.”

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Foley says the improvements are part of a broader effort to restore Fourways’ image and ensure residents feel safe.

“This corner of Fourways Boulevard and Cedar Road used to be an informal taxi rank, with about 20 or 30 vendors. Residents complained it was unbearable. Now, you see bollards along the edge, officers monitoring, and the area cleared of overgrowth.

“Similarly, at Fourways Boulevard and Winnie Mandela Drive, there’s been new planting of trees and shrubs to give the area that village garden feel. When people come to shop in Fourways, they should already feel they’re entering a clean, safe, and beautiful space.”

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