Better Bedfordview has big plans for cleaning up, improving and uplifting the neighbourhood, and building community unity and collaboration this year.
Rejuvenating The Town Hall Precinct
One of their key projects in 2024 is rejuvenating the area around the Bedfordview town hall in Hawley Road. They are collaborating with the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE’s) Real Estate Department to uplift the shabby and neglected town hall precinct. Better Bedfordview is committed to working hand-in-hand with the local authorities to transform this space into an attractive, vibrant hub that reflects the pride and identity of the community.
Ensuring Better Entrances
Better Bedfordview will revitalise all of the entrances into the suburb this year, to create a welcoming and uplifting environment for residents and visitors alike. Clean, neat, attractive and well-maintained entrances into Bedfordview will set the tone for the entire neighbourhood and inspire other suburbs.
Creating Jobs In The Cleanup Team
The Better Bedfordview cleanup team of previously unemployed people will continue to play a pivotal role in 2024. They will create employment for 20 to 24 workers this year. This not only supports Better Bedfordview’s mission to clean, restore and maintain the suburb’s roads, parks, pavements and public spaces, but reflects their commitment to helping to fight unemployment in South Africa.
Growing The Support From Residents
Most of Better Bedfordview’s funding currently comes from business sponsors. In 2024, they aim to get support from more residents. They are hugely grateful to the caring, community-minded businesses that are contributing to Better Bedfordview. However, they need all residents to join Better Bedfordview, too. They are asking for a modest monthly contribution of R200 from every resident in Bedfordview.
If you’re a resident who wants to contribute or increase your monthly donation to Better Bedfordview, please click here. Just R200 a month will go such a long way in sustaining and expanding their impactful projects.
Driving The Adopt-A-Pavement Initiative
Better Bedfordview plans to drive the Adopt-A-Pavement initiative this year. To date, Insurance Zone, Bitventure and Bedford Centre have partnered with Better Bedfordview to clean and maintain the pavements near their premises. This is making a huge difference. They urge other local businesses to adopt a pavement. Better Bedfordview has a list of pavements that are in desperate need of attention. They can help to manage these projects, but they cannot do it all. They need businesses to adopt an area themselves and keep it clean, tidy and well-maintained with Better Bedfordview’s support. Click here to get involved in our Adopt-A-Pavement initiative.
Coming To Meet You In Your Street
Residents can expect to see Better Bedfordview in their street in 2024. We will be taking to the streets this year and reaching out directly to residents. We are planning regular meet-and-greet events in the streets, gazebo days and information tables all over Bedfordview. We invite residents to come and meet the team of dedicated Better Bedfordview volunteers who are working tirelessly to make Bedfordview better to benefit all. This is your chance to connect, share ideas and actively participate in Better Bedfordview’s initiatives.
Community-Building And Fundraising
Throughout the year, Better Bedfordview will host fundraising and community-building events. These include our annual Golf Day and a soapbox derby later in the year. These events serve not only as enjoyable gatherings but also as opportunities to raise awareness and funds for Better Bedfordview’s important mission, and foster a sense of unity among community members.
Creating Better Neighbourhoods
The Better Bedfordview vision, mission and model is set to impact more areas in South Africa in 2024. In 2023, they launched their Better Neighbourhoods concept, and this is gaining momentum. They are delighted with the growing interest in Better Neighbourhoods, through which they are sharing their recipe for success with other suburbs. This is in line with Better Bedfordview’s vision to harness the collective power of engaged citizens to improve neighbourhoods and ultimately South Africa, one suburb at a time.
In 2023, they added Better Senderwood and Better Primrose to the Better Neighbourhoods fold. They have been engaging with role players in Fourways and are pleased to announce that Better Fourways will come on board soon.
In an era marked by the decline of municipalities and local governments globally, private organisations like Better Bedfordview are increasingly taking on crucial roles in maintaining neighbourhoods and developing and uniting communities. By actively engaging with residents and collaborating with local authorities, Better Bedfordview is creating a model for community empowerment and neighbourhood upliftment.
Better Bedfordview
https://betterbedfordview.org.za/contribute/
