Community member shares his experience of three suburbs he has stayed in
Developments in Rosebank, ageing infrastructure in Parkwood and visitors’ attractions in Parkhurst are among a resident’s experiences of ‘the parks’ suburbs.
A resident who has lived in ‘the parks’ since 2009 has experienced life in three suburbs. Christo Morolong first lived in Rosebank then Parkwood and is currently in Parkhurst. Morolong has noticed a lot of development in Rosebank including the launch of the Gautrain railway system, the launch of the Standard Bank offices and Anglo American.
“There are a lot of young people coming in and that is good for the suburb. The Rosebank Management District and private security companies have assisted with security issues in the precinct,” said Morolong.
He commended the Immaculata shelter in Rosebank for taking in homeless people and providing them with opportunities whenever they can.
During his time in Parkwood, Morolong appreciated the leafy suburb in which he said he inhaled fresh air. Morolong started as a community volunteer, became a community liaison officer and oversaw some water pipe replacement projects in the suburbs. Through one of his assignments, he noticed that the infrastructure there was ageing, which results in water pipe bursts, power outages and potholes.
Morolong, who is now a Ward 117 committee member, acknowledges that this is one of the suburbs where people like to come and hang around. The famous 4th Avenue area is full of shops and restaurants that people like to visit, there is also Verity Park in the suburb where people walk their dogs.
He also commended other notable landmarks in the parks including the Military Museum, Johannesburg Zoo, Zoo Lake and other heritage places.
“What drives life around here is the establishment of residents associations, which play a very integral role of assisting with issues that affect residents, offer information that helps with municipal issues and clean streets among others.”
He added that residents’ associations sometimes do work that is supposed to be done by city entities. Morolong applauded the strength of local economic development that is strong because businesses in the parks work with communities.
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