Nelspruit Residents and Ratepayers Association holds second meeting, encourages locals to join
The Nelspruit Residents and Ratepayers Association recently held its second meeting since its formation this year.
Residents were given the floor to voice any of their concerns at the latest Nelspruit Residents and Ratepayers Association (NRRA) meeting at Hoërskool Bergvlam last week.
This was the association’s second meeting since its formation in March, and saw double the number of local residents as compared to the first one on March 7.
The meeting was led by Pr TJ Maré, the founder of We Care 4 Nelspruit. During it, it was emphasised that the ratepayers’ association is apolitical and was formed to create a way for locals to band together and ensure their voices are heard in matters such as water and electricity issues and student accommodation complaints, to name a few.
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Maré said the NRRA is in the process of being registered as a non-profit organisation, and he continued to urge people to join it.
The residents then had the floor to raise their concerns regarding the current City of Mbombela (CoM) property valuation roll, arguably one of the most discussed topics among Lowvelders at present.
The process of submitting complaint forms was discussed, and Maré urged locals to submit their objections to the CoM at the civic centre in person, presenting one copy to the municipality and keeping one for themselves. He said the deadline for complaints is May 31.
Another matter raised by the residents was all the illegal student housing in Mbombela. The residents voiced their exasperation at the subsequent noise pollution, such as late-night parties and traffic in their neighbourhoods from these establishments.
Other matters discussed were traffic officials at busy intersections during load-shedding, the use of certain roads being used as racetracks in town and the enforcement of building by-laws in Mbombela.
The NRRA’s committee was announced as Wynand Labuschagne, Maré, David Guthrie and Anton Klackers. The attending residents approved of this selection.
Maré also urged residents to join the NRRA, which can be done through filling out an online form that can be found on the Facebook group, Nelspruit Resident & Ratepayers Association.
He said by joining, locals could help ensure that their voices were heard by the City and help hold those in authority accountable. He said this will be done through the correct channels and processes.
