There are currently around 18 groups, with each group representing neighbourhoods or areas in and around White River including Haasbroek, Plaston, Kingview, the Old Plaston road and the CBD.
Each group consists of around 150 to 200 households and around 450 people actively contribute with others preferring to post their news on the group’s Facebook page. Warnings, safety tips and useful information are regularly posted on the facebook page.
Members of these groups can post any municipal problems, warnings and even information such as lost or found animals.
Founder Ludi Botha says he’s very strict on the groups, which ensures that it doesn’t turn into a chatroom or annoys people with constant notifications.
His goal is to help improve the community through these reports and have people and the various organisations and authorities in town interact and work together better.
If a problem is posted, Botha contacts the relevant authorities as soon as possible and keeps track of whether the problem has been sorted out. The group has helped to get roads fixed, notified the relevent areas about water and electricity problems and given out safety warnings.
Botha works with local councillor Trudie Morgan, the White River Residents and Ratepayers Association, the Community Policing Forum and SAPS to help sort out resident problems and complaints.
He recently met with the station commander of White River SAPS and helped get members to react to fireworks complaints. He will also be working with various structures and community organisations throughout the year to put a stop to illegal fireworks trading and use.
Residents who would like to join the group can SMS or whatsapp their name, surname and home address to 078-530-7361.
