Disappointed by months of reporting potholes without results, the Panorama Residents Association (PRA) took action on September 24, using five tons of tar to repair roads across the suburb.

The PRA put local support to work when its team spent the day repairing potholes across the suburb.

According to PRA deputy chairperson Michael Steyn, a total of 200 bags of tar, weighing about five tons, were used during the repairs. He said the project was made possible by residents and businesses that continue to support the association’s work in Panorama.

“Your continued support and your decision to renew your PRA membership every year directly enables us to take action and invest back into our community,” he said.

He added that the project also brought together several local businesses. The Hire Shop at The Valley Shopping Centre in Weltevreden Park sponsored the compactors used during the work, while Hillfox Food Lover’s Market assisted with temporary storage for the bags of tar.

Robust Road Repairs supplied the tar and assisted the PRA with last-minute deliveries. According to Steyn, the pothole repairs were carried out after the association had been logging calls with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) about potholes in the area, but no action has been received from the agency.

“So rather than just complain about the problem, we decided to make a difference ourselves,” Steyn said.

Following this, the Roodepoort Northsider approached the JRA for comment. A media inquiry was sent to JRA media officer Kelebogile Mafa on Thursday, October 1, at 10:48 with a response deadline of Tuesday, October 6, at 09:00.

The inquiry asks whether JRA is aware of the pothole repairs, the status of pothole-related service requests in the area, and its engagement with the PRA. The JRA was also asked whether there are any planned road-maintenance or pothole-repair programmes for Panorama, as well as its response to the association undertaking repairs itself. The JRA’s response will be published once received.

Steyn added that the association remains committed to engaging with relevant authorities while addressing issues it can assist with in the community, and that the effort was an example of residents working together to improve their neighbourhood.

“This is what a community looks like when we work together,” he said.

The PRA’s pothole work comes as the association continues with other community maintenance projects, including grass cutting in several Panorama streets.