Residents urged to support declining Bryan Fern Residents’ Association

The Bryan Fern Residents’ Association (BFRA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on October 12, with key updates from both the local councillor and the BFRA’s chairperson. The meeting highlighted several important developments at both national and local levels, as well as concerns about the area’s ongoing challenges.

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The local councillor, Emi Koekemoer, provided a mixed update, starting with some positive news at the national level. ‘Eskom’s Se Push’ app, once widely used to monitor load-shedding schedules, is no longer in use as power outages have lessened. Petrol prices have dropped, and the Home Affairs backlog has been cleared, making services more accessible. South Africa has seen an increase in exports, and the unemployment rate has improved slightly, leading to a stronger rand. Additionally, Starlink is set to enter the South African market, offering improved internet connectivity across the country.

On the legislative front, the councillor mentioned that the contentious BELA Bill, which deals with school governance, has been sent back for reconsideration. This indicates a pause in the bill’s progression, allowing further debate.

However, the picture is not as bright provincially, particularly in Gauteng. The most alarming issue is the potential arrival of ‘Day Zero’, with Johannesburg Water reporting a 46% revenue loss. Infrastructure issues, such as a large water pipe leaks and frequent breakdowns, are further straining the city’s water supply. Koekemoer stressed the importance of collective effort in addressing these problems, encouraging residents’ associations to maintain communication with the government. Resident involvement and support are essential to making progress, even if improvements may take time.

One of the most pressing issues raised during the meeting was the ongoing water situation. A major pipe is leaking, and there’s a significant backlog in infrastructure maintenance. These repeated breakdowns are reducing the revenue collected by Johannesburg Water, as more residents turn to alternative water supplies. The BFRA is working on strategies to address this, including plans to place water tanks in public spaces as a backup measure. Koekemoer warned that electrical failures are also affecting water pumps, which could lead to water shortages after two days. Residents were urged to consider backup systems to prevent further damage to pressure valves.

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Koekemoer also mentioned the need for immediate attention to a large hole growing grass on Fleet Street. The issue has been referred to Johannesburg Water, with plans for Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to step in for repairs. Other infrastructure concerns include an open stand in 17 Kays, which needs to be inspected and reported on.
In terms of housing developments, low-cost housing projects are underway in nearby Ferndale but will not affect the Bryan Fern area directly. However, the councillor raised concerns about the ongoing Gautrain project, which could have a significant impact on local properties. While Gautrain has had a positive effect on property prices in areas like Sandton and Rosebank, it remains to be seen how Bryan Fern will be affected.

Problem properties continue to be a challenge in Ward 104, with 53 problematic properties identified, including both private and government-owned land. Subletting is also a growing issue and residents are encouraged to report these cases. Koekemoer shared that a warning letter has been drafted and will be available for residents associations to use before reporting violations to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).

The chairperson, John Endres, echoed the councillor’s concerns about infrastructure, emphasising the need to hold city service providers accountable. The BFRA faces significant financial challenges, with a steady decline in income as more residents leave the area or fail to support the association. Currently, only 38 households contribute financially to the BFRA, out of the 480 homes in the area, including those in complexes.

To maintain basic services such as cleaning, the BFRA needs financial support from 30-40% of households. Currently, only 10-20% are contributing. Endres suggested looking into setting up a debit order system to make it easier for residents to support the association.

As part of the AGM, voting took place for new BFRA members, though specific details about the outcome were not provided.

The Bryan Fern area faces numerous challenges, particularly in terms of water supply, infrastructure, and declining resident support for the BFRA. Koekemoer and BFRA leadership are calling for greater resident involvement to help address these problems. While some positive developments are happening at the national level, the provincial and local picture remains difficult. The collective effort of residents is crucial for making meaningful progress in the area.

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