VANDERBIJLPARK – “As the SE1 Safety and Development Collective NPC, we hope to encourage other communities to stand up for themselves in a collective and make a difference because nobody is going to do it for them”.

This was the message from the director of the SE1 Safety and Development Collective NPC and Tar Project Coordinator JC van Aswegen, after they undertook a huge project to tackle potholes in President Steyn Street on Saturday.

“In April last year, Sammy from Limited Edition Pre-School and Aftercare approached the SE1 Safety and Development Collective to start a tar project for President Steyn Street. We launched the project in May 2025, alongside Limited Edition, with a target of R10,000,” says JC.

Limited Edition ran a fundraiser and raised R4,100. One of the parents and President Steyn Street resident, Marlene Marshall, brought in R2,500 by going door to door in the community.

Further funds came in slowly through minimum monthly contributions over the next few months, but members became eager to see where the funds had gone.

“We finally decided to procure 100 bags of tar, which was below our initial target of R10,000. Extra funds were collected in the last week of April 2025 through community members to reach a target of R7,500 for the tar procurement. A community member also assisted by transporting the tar free of charge,” explains JC.

“We approached AfriForum with our project, and they almost immediately agreed to join hands with us. The AfriForum team provided all the machinery needed for the project, as well as an additional 80 bags of tar – bringing the total weight to 4.5 tons – and a team to operate all machinery,” says a thankful JC.

Members involved from Limited Edition Pre-School and Aftercare who deserve thanks include:
Judith Earle, Samy du Plessis, Jacques du Plessis and Jolene Earle.

Main contact and coordination person:
Hendrik Small

“We would like to also thank Benjamin from the UIM and Yvonne from the DA for joining hands with the SE1 community by bringing members to assist with the work done,” says JC.

New project

SE1 Safety and Development Collective NPC and Limited Edition Pre-School and Aftercare are restarting this initiative with a new target: R30 000 for 10 tons of tar and 400 bags ready to fill and flatten.

The fundraising will run throughout the winter, and by summer, they want to finish President Steyn Street.

“Let’s stand together. Keep your eyes peeled for fundraising initiatives and don’t be shy to start one yourself,” says JC.

Contribute directly to the SE1 Safety and Development Collective:
Capitec Business
Account Number: 1052177700
Reference: PSTAR + your house address