FSRA calls for increased community involvement
The Florida South Residents Association is calling on the community to get involved in their clean-up campaigns.
The Florida South Residents Association (FSRA) has renewed its call on the community to get involved in their various projects for the upliftment of the neighbourhood.
FSRA chairperson Rodney Churchyard has become somewhat of a community hero thanks to his continuing clean-up campaigns throughout Florida South and his ongoing battle against illegal dumping.
“What people don’t realise is that, while I do it for the love of my community, it is simply not feasible for me to continue taking on this monumental task on my own,” says Churchyard.
“Week after week, we are out in the streets cleaning up and trying to make a difference.
“The sad fact is that we are lucky if even one resident comes out to lend a hand.
“Even sadder is that we are increasingly finding that it is in many cases residents themselves who dump unwanted materials and goods illegally in the nearest park, veld, or even on the street corner.”
Churchyard has recommitted the FSRA to continuing their cleanup campaigns in 2026, but he adds that this year, he will not do it alone.
“It’s gotten to the point where residents will get upset and leave horrible comments on the community WhatsApp groups that we have not yet cleaned up in their area.
“I was still on holiday when the posts started coming through about cleanups required throughout the area.
“Residents need to realise that these cleanups are done on my own time and more often than not, using my own resources and labour.
“This year, the ball is in the court of the residents. We will still be conducting regular cleanup campaigns in public places, but we cannot continue without the help and support of the residents.
“If such help and support are not forthcoming, we will have to reconsider which cleanups we take on.”
The Roodepoort Record caught up with Churchyard on January 14 while they were cleaning up the severely overgrown section along Ruth Street and Seventh Avenue.
“The vegetation was so overgrown that vehicles travelling along Ruth Street had to drive in the oncoming lane to pass here,” he says.
Their next community clean-up campaign is on January 24 at the Unified Train Station in Ruth Street.
“We urge the community to come out and support us in keeping our area clean.”
