Panorama@Work continuing to pick up the slack left by municipal shortfalls

Promoting the self-esteem of an area falls outside of the mandate of municipal entities.

Understanding the shortfalls of municipal resources, Panorama Residents Association (PRA) has a blueprint for urban maintenance. Funded by its members, PRA has a dedicated labour force that ensures the basic levels of urban neatness are met. Entities responsible for maintenance do so on a revolving schedule but as grass grows and curbs are dirtied faster, private citizens are compelled to step in.

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Panorama@Work spends roughly R13 000 per month on keeping the streets within their residents’ association boundaries clean. Busy arterials such as JG Strydom and Jim Fouche Roads as well as large intersections that serve as first points of entry are the key focus. Taking responsibility for having a well-presented suburb sends a positive message to prospective home and business owners as well as criminal elements.

Also read: Potholes in Vermooten Street Grobler Park

Their most recent activity was a week-long urban gardening blitz, focusing on roads and parks. Having cleaned up Rooisering Park earlier in the month, attention turned to Spekboom Park. Needing to trim grass that had grown higher than the average car window, teams trimmed verges on Skateboard Street on Jim Fouche Road, Batoka Avenue on JG Strydom Road as well as centre medians and islands on Albert Street and Rhinoceros Road along Hendrik Potgieter Road.

Seldom noticed until the overgrowth is scraped away, Panorama@Work restored the intended aesthetic appeal of JG Strydom Road, shoveling away the sand and weeds that quickly build up along the curbs.

The responsible entities do play a role, as PRA’s Michael Steyn stated, “Just thanks to Erick Tshikhudo from Johannesburg Roads Agency who assist us to collect all the sand and grass that is being removed from the roads. He has been great in collecting it every time.”

Monthly PRA contributions are the monetary equivalent of two large pizzas and should residents be signed to one of the preferred private security companies, the annual membership is covered. The model is repeated and adapted in neighbouring residents’ associations with the greater the buy-in from residents, the greater the potential for significant impact.