Brixton Community Forum meets

Social issues and concerns were the main focus of the evening as Brixton residents and community members gathered at Kingston Frost Park for the first Brixton Community forum (BCF) meeting of the year on 18 February.

Community member Jonathan Padavatan read a passage out of the South African Constitution before the start of the meeting, to serve as a reminder to the community of how important community cohesion operates as a vessel of social change.

BCF chairman Mark Schaerer said the meeting aimed to create an increased sense of community involvement and social cohesion with the community of Brixton.

“We hope that it will be a good foundation for joint community involvement and discussion to ensure that our suburb is a safe, clean and a wonderful place to live in for all its residents.”

Other speakers who spoke at the meeting included Ward 69 councillor Katja Naumann, who explained her duties and responsibilities toward the community.

“As a Ward councillor your job description is one of oversight. You play an oversight role in council, which requires me to attend monthly council meetings, representing my ward, which is Ward 69. I also deal with individual projects, ranging from social to construction projects, that influence the ward. Ward councillors are elected by six residential suburbs which are Westbury, Crosby, Brixton, Melville, Auckland Park, and Westdene. These are the suburbs that I represent and, of course, the University of Johannesburg to a certain extent.”

Representatives from Pikitup Rochelle Ludick and Lesedi Molefi were also present and explained basic services that Pikitup provides.

Gauteng Department of Community Safety Thabo Thipe was also in attendance as well as Brixton Safety and Security Initiative member Mauritz Preller.

It was also announced that Adiel Majam has been appointed chairperson of the Brixton Crime Policing Forum.

Schaerer, who also handles landlord- and commune-related concerns,was very pleased with the number of community members who attended.

“The Brixton Community Forum is very happy with the turn-out at our first public meeting this year. It was a good way to introduce representatives from both the suburb and city to the residents of Brixton.”

The new BCF members and their respective potfolios:

• Elzabé Zietsman will be in charge of any concerns regarding the parks of Brixton.
• Thomas Chapman is the treasurer and business manager of the forum.
• Adrienne van den Heever will be in charge of the communications with the community and the forum.
• Lucy Msomi will deal with issues and concerns about the youth in Brixton.
• Tariq Toffa will be in charge of planning for the forum.
• Sifiso Ntuli will be responsible for heritage and living culture.
• Brigitta Stone Johnson is set to deal with events.