Northwold residents take it on themselves to fix Aureole Road
Frustrated by delays, Northwold residents repaired potholes and cleaned pavements along Aureole Road, saying community action was needed to improve safety and protect property values.
Frustrated by ongoing service delivery issues, residents from Northwold Gardens and nearby complexes have joined forces to repair potholes and clean pavements along Aureole Road.
The community-driven initiative was led by resident Rob Cloete, of Northwold Gardens and Aureole Manor, who said residents felt they could no longer wait for action from the City of Johannesburg. “There have been potholes outside our complex for a long time, and accidents have already happened. Nothing was being done, so we decided to step in and try to fix the problem ourselves.”
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Residents focused on filling potholes and cleaning pavements from Northumberland Avenue through to Montrose. Bushes were trimmed, litter was removed, and areas affected by illegal dumping were cleared.
Cloete said illegal activities, including gambling, have also been a growing concern in the area, contributing to the decline of the neighbourhood. “We’ve engaged with the City of Johannesburg, and they’ve said they are trying to send resources, but, so far, nothing has arrived. As residents, we are worried about safety and about our property values.”
Despite these challenges, the turnout on the day lifted spirits. Cloete said about half of Northwold Gardens residents participated, with additional support from neighbouring complexes, such as Lurie’s Loft and Weaver’s Way.
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Several private security companies, including Lonwaba Security, SP Security, TRSS and ADT, were also present to support the initiative. “The response has been fantastic. People really showed up and did their part. It proves what can happen when a community works together.”
He said the clean-up reflects the resilience of residents. “When things get tough, we don’t just sit back. We get up and do something about it.”
Cloete encouraged other communities facing poor service delivery not to lose hope. “We need to stay positive and work together. If we stand together as communities, we can make a difference.”
Residents hope the improvements along Aureole Road will improve safety, restore pride in the area, and encourage authorities to take stronger action going forward.
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