The sight of residents in reflective vests, armed with gloves, brooms, and refuse bags, has become more familiar along parts of Main Road in Bryanston.

On August 22, the non-profit company Better Bryanston once again gathered a group of volunteers to tackle one of the suburb’s busiest intersections, the island where Winnie Mandela Drive veers into Main Road.

Read more: Better Bryanston volunteers clean up

Better Bryanston, a registered NPC, was set up by residents to address the growing concern over litter, weeds, and neglected public spaces in the area.

Since its formation, the group has concentrated its efforts on Main Road, between Winnie Mandela Drive and Peter Place Road, steadily restoring cleaner and safer conditions to stretches that many commuters use daily.

Chairperson Joyce Tshabalala said this clean-up was one of several recent projects aimed at reclaiming public spaces for the community.

“We are all volunteers trying to make a difference. It may look like a small effort to some, but every clean-up shifts the atmosphere of the suburb. It shows that residents care about where they live, and that care is contagious.”

Also read: Rivonia community clean up their streets

She added that the group’s latest effort involved pulling weeds from pavements, removing litter from the central island, and collecting debris from the roadside.

Tshabalala explained that while these interventions were important, they also highlighted a bigger issue.

“Main Road is one of Bryanston’s main arteries, and when it’s dirty or overgrown, it affects how people see the suburb. We have heard from residents who express concern about the value of their properties, citing the appearance of public areas as neglected. A clean environment benefits everyone, whether you are a homeowner, a tenant, a business, or just someone driving through.”

She pointed out that Better Bryanston relied entirely on volunteers, most of them residents who dedicated time on weekends to roll up their sleeves.

Tshabalala believes this sense of shared responsibility is crucial.

“We cannot just sit back and wait for the city to do everything. Partnerships between residents, non-profits, and the municipality are the way forward. But to get there, we need more people involved, more hands, more energy, more voices saying, We care about our suburb.”

While their work has had a visible impact, Tshabalala admitted that keeping momentum is a challenge without steady support. The group has appealed to the wider community for help, whether through volunteering, providing equipment, or even sponsoring a clean-up.

“Every bit counts. We want Bryanston to be a suburb we are all proud of. That pride starts with us, the people who live here, showing up and doing the work.”

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