Encouragement to face challenges in the new decade
MELROSE – As a new decade begins Ward 74 councillor Dave Fisher encouraged residents to take action and remain positive so as to achieve a better society.
Ward 74 councillor Dave Fisher writes:
January 2020 marks the beginning of a new year and a new decade. It is wise to stop and think about the important issues and challenges that we will face in this new decade.
Let’s begin this next decade by re-committing ourselves to the values of respect, compassion and openness that define us as South Africans. In our multifaceted and broad society, we should work to create an inclusive and encompassing environment where this respect, compassion and openness can flourish and grow. Out of society such as this will flourish prosperity, health, economic growth, safety and security and all the other benefits that we desperately need.
As individuals, we must not underestimate the influence that we have in our community. Our individual actions combine with and influence the actions of others. These actions drive the way that the community respond and react to the ever-changing and developing society that we live in.
So we should resolve, this January, and in this coming decade to build a better society, one which is free from poverty and inequality, one where we don’t walk by on the other side, turning a blind eye, a society where we recognise there are issues and we take action. I would encourage every resident to lead by example, by action and with compassion. There will always be negative and despondent residents but by far the majority of us want to contribute positively to a full life of peace, security and prosperity.
Climate change is but one of many areas in which we can have a meaningful influence. Two easy wins come to mind, recycling and spekboom. Spekboom (portulacaria afra) is an indigenous evergreen and is an environmental miracle worker. It acts as a carbon sponge, absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and turns it into plant matter. It is attractive, water-wise and easy to grow. Cuttings root easily so you could expand your carbon sponge along the pavement next to your boundary.
Households can very easily and with little disruption, recycle most of what is put into your Pikitup bin. Paper, glass, plastic and tin are collected by schools, clubs and charities as part of their fundraising – double benefit. Pikitup also has a re-cycling collection initiative.
As the ward councillor, I look forward to another successful year working with the community in resolving specific issues and challenges as well as playing my part in creating our brighter future for all.
Related Articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/241889/fisher-discusses-2018-challenges/
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/233929/participating-for-equal-development-is-key/
