Cosmo City Residents Association (CCRA) president Buchule Raba-Mpinga looks back at 2025, while extending heartfelt Christmas wishes to residents.

“This is a time of reflection, gratitude, and togetherness – a moment to appreciate our families, our neighbours, and the strength of our community.

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“We are grateful for the unity and resilience our community has shown throughout the year.”

He added that, despite challenges, they continue to rise, support one another, and build a safer, stronger Cosmo City. “May this festive season bring peace to every home, joy to every family, and hope for the year ahead. Let us remain kind to one another, keep our community safe, and uphold the spirit of ubuntu that makes Cosmo City a special place.

“From the entire leadership of the CCRA – we wish you a blessed and meaningful Christmas.

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“We would like to encourage South Africans to stay alert, observant, and don’t drink and drive in order to protect lives of other road users. Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy the rest of your festive season.”

There are many challenges the Cosmo City community faces, and some of them do not have overnight solutions. They require long, structured processes and serious intervention from local government in order to bring meaningful relief to residents. The CCRA president said one of their ongoing concerns is school violence, which continues to affect learners, parents, and educators. This issue urgently requires increased visibility and proactive support from SAPS. “Although we have engaged SAPS through various meetings with councillors, the response on the ground remains inconsistent. We are often told that visibility has improved, yet when incidents are reported, officers take too long to respond – and in some cases, do not attend to matters at all.”

As the CCRA, Raba-Mpinga said they will continue to do their best to unite the youth, the elderly, and the working class. Their aim is to build common solutions to the challenges they face daily, some of which are tied directly to service delivery. “We believe that through genuine collaboration and accountability, lasting progress is possible. We have sewerage challenges, potholes, house robberies, and common robberies, at night mostly.”

Despite the devastating issues, their Christmas wish, as the CCRA, is for meaningful development that truly reflects the needs of the community. “While our population continues to grow, our essential facilities have not kept pace – and this affects the quality of life of every resident.”

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