Residents are encouraged to take a more active role in caring for their neighbourhoods as communities continue to face challenges such as public spaces riddled with overgrown grass and ageing infrastructure.

Although local authorities remain responsible for maintaining public infrastructure, community members can also make a meaningful difference through small acts of service that contribute to cleaner, safer and more welcoming environments.

Centurion resident Johan de Wet recently demonstrated this commitment by volunteering his time to clear overgrown vegetation at The Reeds and Rooihuiskraal substations.

Despite walking on a prosthetic leg, De Wet, a member of the Wierdabrug Sector 2 Community Policing Forum (CPF), spent about five hours on July 31 clearing dense vegetation around the two substations.

He told Rekord that even though the physically demanding work left him sore and tired afterwards, knowing he had made a positive contribution to the community made it all worthwhile.

“I was motivated by concerns for the safety and well-being of residents. Overgrown vegetation around critical infrastructure can create hiding places for criminal activity, increase fire risks and make it difficult for maintenance teams to access the sites,” he said.

Rather than waiting for someone else to address the problem, De Wet decided to take the initiative and contribute where he could.

He started work at 09:00 and finished around 14:00, using a brush cutter and other basic gardening equipment to tackle the dense overgrowth around the substations.

“One of the challenges was the thickness and height of the vegetation, as well as ensuring the work was carried out safely around essential electrical infrastructure.”

While De Wet led the clean-up, he stated that community support helped make the task more manageable.

His commitment to protecting community infrastructure extends beyond the recent clean-up.

After The Reeds substation was broken into in May, De Wet responded to a request for assistance by welding the access doors shut.

According to him, the substation has remained secure since then, with no further incidents of vandalism reported.

Reflecting on the initiative, De Wet noted that every resident has a role to play in improving their community.

“My message to fellow residents is that every small act of service makes a difference. We all have a role to play in caring for our community. Instead of waiting for others to solve problems, we should be willing to contribute where we can. Working together, we can create a cleaner, safer and more welcoming environment for everyone,” he said.

Ward 64 councillor Alta de Kock said the project demonstrated what could be achieved when residents worked together instead of relying solely on the Tshwane Metro.

“When I saw how overgrown the vegetation around the substations had become, I became concerned, especially with the current veld fire season. After the recent veld fire in Rooihuiskraal, I worried that we could face another incident involving a substation catching fire,” she said.

She subsequently approached the CPF to ask whether its members would be willing to assist with clearing the sites.

“Johan immediately agreed and made arrangements to carry out the work, and we are also incredibly grateful to the local businesses that supported the initiative,” added De Kock.

She recalled that The Reeds substation was in an especially poor condition when the work began.

“Johan started at The Reeds substation, which was in a terrible condition. The brush cutter couldn’t cut through the thick vegetation, making the work hard. When we moved to the Rooihuiskraal substation, another community member even hired someone to help us finish the job.”

According to De Kock, this initiative highlighted the power of community involvement and demonstrated how residents can make a meaningful difference when they work together.

She also expressed her appreciation to everyone who contributed, particularly De Wet, for his continued willingness to assist whenever called upon.

“I would also like to thank the CPF, which is always willing to assist whenever I reach out. I truly appreciate everyone who contributed. Together, as a community, we can make Rooihuiskraal and The Reeds cleaner, safer and better places for everyone,” she said.

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