Tweni takes steps to be declared special rates area

Umtentweni Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (URRA) is making impressive strides in its mission to establish Umtentweni as an Urban Improvement Precinct/Special Rates Area (UIP/SRA).

With over 400 votes already gathered, the URRA is optimistic about reaching the required total in the near future.

To showcase the impact of community involvement, the UIP recently organised a ‘demo month’ featuring a series of community-driven projects. These efforts highlighted the tangible benefits of a unified, resident-supported initiative.

Some of the key projects during the demo month include:

* Water resilience: a 5000l water tank installed at Tweni Centre to aid residents during water outages.

* Road and rubble clearance: rubble was removed from the corner of Ibis and Mdoni roads, which was recycled to fill potholes. Similar rubble clearance was conducted on Mgazi and Park roads, with additional repairs made to Russel Melick Road.

* Drain clearing: overgrown vegetation was removed from the drains along Crain Road to improve drainage.

* Whale Deck clean-up: the popular area was given a thorough cleaning, enhancing its appeal to visitors.

* Signage and road verge maintenance: damaged signage on Old St. Faith’s Road was removed, and roadside verges on Rethman Drive and the corner of Link and R102 were cleared to improve visibility for drivers.

* Safety and security: in collaboration with the CPF patrollers, local security companies, Saps and law enforcement agencies, a mass patrol was conducted through the streets of Tweni recently.

Nazir Shaikh from the UIP said funding for the demo month was made possible through the Umtentweni Conservancy, which generously provided labour, equipment, herbicides and fuel.

“Additional support came from Industrial Supply Centre, several local residents, and various generous donations amounting to R18 000. Special recognition was given to Chris Connellan and Alex Skene for their valuable oversight and support throughout the project.

“The demo month not only showcased the potential of an SRA but also underscored the commitment of Umtentweni residents to creating a well-maintained, safe, and attractive community. The demo month was a physical illustration of the types of projects and services that can be achieved by the UIP. In order to ensure sustainability, a small, regular contribution by all ratepayers to the UIP is required. As URRA continues to rally support for the UIP, residents are hopeful that these efforts will lead to long-lasting, positive change in the neighbourhood,” said Shaikh

Umtentweni residents who have not as yet voted are encouraged to do so. Voting forms are available at Umtentweni Library or at Jaxx Restaurant.

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