Norwood residents take action: Restoring pride to Grant Avenue
Grant Avenue, once plagued by neglect and decay, is now the focus of a united community effort to restore its vibrancy with residents and authorities stepping up to create lasting change.
Once the heart of Norwood’s vibrant community, Grant Avenue has faced increasing decay in recent years. Illegal dumping, by-law violations, and neglect have turned the bustling high street into a shadow of its former self. But thanks to the dedication of a determined group of residents, businesses, and civic leaders, the tide is turning.
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Led by Yasmin Thokan, Hayley Schell, Aadil Lakhi, and the Norwood Business Association, with strong support from the Norwood Community Policing Forum (CPF) Sector 3, the Norwood Grime Fighters have launched a movement to reshape the area. Their first major initiative – a walk-through inspection – took place on November 20, bringing together community members, local authorities, and volunteers to tackle Grant Avenue’s challenges head-on.
A call to action
“This is the first step in a sustained effort to restore order,” declared Colonel Logan Govender, Norwood SAPS station commander, during the day’s opening briefing. “By tackling root issues like illegal structures, reckless behaviour, and waste mismanagement, we aim to make Norwood a community cohesion and cleanliness model. Serious charges will be filed against those who believe they’re above the law.”
The initiative saw collaboration between Norwood SAPS, JMPD, Pikitup, Norwood CPF Sector 3, and Community in Blue. Together, they educated shop owners and tenants on topics ranging from waste management to noise control, ensuring everyone understood their role in restoring the area’s charm.
Pikitup supervisor David Maabote highlighted their role. “We’re here for a cleanup and to educate store owners and managers. The community has asked us, together with JMPD, to assist in cleaning the area and addressing illegal dumping. We aim to ensure every building complies with the city’s by-laws.”
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The Grime Fighters also tackled sensitive issues like public disturbances and the disruptive behaviour of car guards. JMPD outreach officer Tshidi Dlamini stressed the importance of education. “Our primary goal is informing the community about by-laws, crime prevention, and road safety. Recently, we addressed illegal parking at a store and reminded them that marking designated parking spots is prohibited. This kind of proactive engagement is key to long-term solutions.”
A collective effort
Residents, too, are urged to examine their behaviour. “We all need to look at our role in the decay,” said Lakhi. “Whether it’s illegal parking, littering, or giving food and money to car guards who harass the community, especially women, we need to stop enabling these cycles. Cleaner streets lead to a stronger community, requiring all to act.”
Ward 73 councillor Eleanor Huggett praised the initiative, calling for further municipal support. “I’m exceedingly grateful to the Norwood Grime Fighters for negating the neglect caused by the city’s lack of action. I also thank the officials from the city, JMPD, and SAPS who participated. However, building control officials must urgently address the contraventions in Grant Avenue and Paterson Road. I’ve called for a meeting with our regional director to address this.”
Kumarin Chellakooty, Norwood Oaklands Residents Association’s (Nora) acting chairperson, reflected on the importance of involvement. “Engaging in cleanups shows positive change is happening. It encourages new and established business owners to act responsibly and understand the rules around waste disposal and acceptable behaviours. Initiatives like these create a ripple effect, influencing neighbouring areas and building momentum for ongoing improvement.”
Peet Prinsloo, of Citynet, echoed this sentiment. “It’s in everyone’s interest to keep Grant Avenue clean for tenants and the community. If we all do our part, we can make the area around our shops a better place for everyone. Collective effort is crucial, and the results will benefit us all.”
A path forward
As the walk-through concluded, the message was clear: The revitalisation of Grant Avenue depends on sustained collaboration. Norwood SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Eric Masotsha summed it up. “This is about education and warning non-compliant businesses of the consequences of littering. Some noise-problematic businesses have promised to control contributing factors. We urge residents and business owners to continue caring for our precinct. Norwood is still one of the best places to live.”
For the Norwood Grime Fighters, this is only the beginning. They plan to hold regular cleanups, educate the community, and push for stronger enforcement of by-laws. As Lakhi said, “If we all do our bit, Norwood can once again be a beautiful suburb with the conveniences we love.”
Through teamwork and unwavering determination, Norwood proves that collective action can overcome even the toughest challenges. The future of Grant Avenue shines brighter with each step forward.
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