A time for action says Emmarentia Residents Association
The well-attended public meeting saw a range of topical issues discussed and debated amongst residents and stakeholders with bold plans underway for the area.
It’s time for residents to move beyond WhatsApp activism was the overriding message of the Annual General Meeting of the Emmarentia Residents Association (ERA).
Held at Marks Park last week, ERA Chairperson Ayanda Mjekula told residents that ‘if they want the city to respond to their needs, they need to show outrage and take action’.
To one resident’s question; how will the ERA make their voice heard because the city doesn’t take the ERA seriously? Mjekula responded that there were many initiatives that residents could get involved with, many of which worked across the suburbs to improve the chance of achieving success.
“I would not want to reach the stage taken by the residents of Westville who have opted to withhold rates payments,” he said.
Moving to projects that residents could join, local resident, Wolfgang Phoenix, outlined details of the Spruit Action Collective which seeks to work with residents’ associations across nearby suburbs to restore the green spaces along the spruit stretching from Emmarentia, Parkhurst to Delta Park.
Many homeless people are making these places their homes precisely because of the ‘failure of the city to enforce its by-laws’ said Phoenix. The collective will work with non-profits and other homelessness organisations to ensure that the people occupying these spaces are treated fairly and that nothing is done unlawfully.
Another resident, Saber Manjoo, spoke of the initiative to adopt the open green space below Emmarentia Dam that falls within the suburb. Owned by Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, there are numerous sections that have been taken over by invasive alien plant species that are clogging the spruit and providing shelter for the homeless and sometimes criminal elements. “Volunteers are needed and encouraged to join us as we endeavour to ensure the space is looked after properly.”
Gemey Abrahams reported on OUTA’s new CAN (Community Action Network) initiatives that encourage active citizenry, while Geraldine Connell from the Parkview CPF encouraged residents to become community patrollers so they can be the ears and eyes of police.
Visit www.era.org.za or email info@era.org.za to learn more about initiatives and see how you can become involved.
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