Monthly Scorecard: December
December’s scorecard: we did move the needle forward… but the closer we got to holidays, the more faults seemed to enter “Out of Office” mode. Compared to October and November, response times slowed noticeably.
The leak in Limber Road and the four-day electrical cable outage were a loud reminder that our infrastructure is ageing and occasionally behaves like a Nokia 3310 that’s finally decided it’s tired. Even the air pollution issue had to take a back seat for a moment because, well… people needed lights and water more urgently. We also finalised all members' details on the Group to comply with POPIA, and all members are now vetted. If you move out of the area or your number change,s please kindly let us know.
We still have multiple faults that need to be sorted and properly closed out. To help with transparency (and to keep everyone sane), we’re working on a public-facing dashboard so residents—and the relevant stakeholders—can see what’s been logged, where it is, and what stage it’s at. Think of it as: “Google Maps, but for municipal chaos.”
Driving around the neighbourhood right now is like a live-action “Spot the Problem” game:
• streetlights that are basically decorative poles,
• road markings so faded you need faith, GPS and a guardian angel,
• verges that look like they’ve been abandoned since 2014,
• bushes growing with the confidence of people who’ve never met a lawnmower.
About the open letter to the Councillor: it wasn’t a personal attack. It was a formal “Please help us understand the long-term plan, because vibes are not a strategy.” We all call this home, and after a long year, people deserve safe, functional public spaces—without having to dodge potholes, darkness, and surprise shrubbery.
December brought us right to the edge… but it didn’t break us. It stressed us, tested us, and briefly made some of us consider buying land in the Karoo and living off-grid with goats. But we held.
And here’s the lesson we’re taking into 2026: when we unite, we get things done. We solve problems, we help each other, and we focus on what matters when people need support.
We also need to think carefully about next year’s local government elections. Ward and municipal representation isn’t a popularity contest—it’s about who has real policies and the backbone to make our area a priority. Because “we’ll look into it” is not a service delivery plan.
To anyone considering moving away: we get it. But every area has issues. The question is: how fast do we respond, and do we have a long-term plan to fix the underlying problems permanently? That’s the difference between “temporary chaos” and “permanent decline.”
Now, let’s be honest: could we have done more? Absolutely.
How? More hands.
If seven volunteers can make a meaningful difference, imagine what happens if a whole community shows up. If we can drop the “someone else must handle it” mindset, we can build a proper village culture—where people look out for each other and protect what we share.
So here’s what we need in 2026:
• Street captains (eyes and ears on the ground),
• Reporters (people who log issues properly),
• Inspectors (those who check if work was actually done—and done correctly),
• and everyday heroes who choose to be active citizens.
We’re all busy, but we can’t outsource our community’s well-being to anyone else and hope for the best. If 2025 was the year we learnt the ropes, 2026 is the year we master the system and choose our own fate.
Which brings us to our theme for 2026:
Don’t spectate — participate.
We’ve seen what happens when people care and collaborate. If we can 10x that effort, we’ll move the needle a lot further in 2026 and beyond.
A quick reminder: our admins are volunteers. We’ve got full-time jobs, families, and occasional emotional breakdowns when the streetlight still isn’t fixed after seven follow-ups. Our efforts are sometimes best-effort—but always sincere.
We’ll also be firm with those who only spectate and throw stones. If your contribution is “complain loudly while doing nothing,” just know: your effort is noted… and ineffective. We won’t be deterred. There’s a community to build and people to help. But we will call out nonsense when we see it.
To the many residents we met during a difficult December: thank you. Your support, contributions on the chat, and the encouragement kept this platform moving—and remember, this group belongs to the community.
We’re hoping to have feedback on initiatives like Scouts Hall early in the new year… and yes, some of you may want to book anger management classes in advance. (We say that with love. Mostly.)
Wishing you and your family a safe, peaceful New Year.
See you on the other side.
Sarah, Nomasonto, Bronwynne, Carla, Vishal, Marvin and Wayne (Community Admins for UIC)