FSRA geared for 2025

The Florida South Residents Association (FSRA) is determined to make 2025 the year in which they make even more of a tangible difference in communities.

According to FSRA chairperson Rodney Churchyard they are redoubling their efforts to uplift the southern suburbs of Florida and further establish the sense of community that the area has always been known for.

To that end, the FSRA undertook yet another clean-up on Saturday, January 25 along Ruth Street at Seventh Avenue, where severe overgrowth of the sidewalk makes the already precarious corner even more dangerous.

“We’ve had so many accidents reported here,” says Churchyard. “This corner is deceptively dangerous and motorists tend to speed here. The overgrown sidewalks only contribute to the problem.”

In addition, the illegal railway crossing where people walk across the tracks, which is also situated at this spot is severely overgrown, with only a small footpath which pedestrians negotiate to cross into the northern suburbs of Florida.

“While we do not condone people illegally crossing the tracks, we understand that it is human nature to take shortcuts. The area is not fenced off thus people are going to cross no matter what you do,” says Churchyard. “The least we can do is make is a little safer.”

The FSRA typically conducts their clean-up campaigns at pre-identified spots, calling on local residents via their street WhatsApp groups to join them.

“Unfortunately, we do not get the support we hope for and at every clean-up, only a handful of residents come out.

“I wish people would realise that the only ones who can make a real difference in the communities are the residents themselves.”

On this particular day, FSRA received support from residents (and neighbours) Theo Jordaan and Mandla Ndlovu, both of whom have suffered damage to their properties due to people speeding along Ruth Street.