It has been a tough month for our admins, Street Captains, and volunteers as we strive to balance professional work with community service. Here is where we stand as we move into March.

Challenges That Remain

Specific Faults: No connection on the light pole in Angle Road and tree damage obstruction on Sarnia Road. Bellmuir and others have been scheduled

Water & Infrastructure: We are navigating the transition from asbestos to PVC pipes for water leaks. We should have an answer in the next week if our request has been approved. Debris remains on Sarnia and Eric Roads, though Eric’s reinstatement is scheduled for mid-March we want to get Sarnia Cleaned up.

Parks & Verges: Overgrowth persists area-wide. We are now in contact with the Parks and Recreation Depot in Chatsworth. Major attention is still needed for the N2 bushes, Philahaven, and Moorleigh. The Tree by Bellair SAPs is on our radar, Scouts hall, Woodlands Avenue. If there is a tree that is about to touch electricity lines please be proactive and log it in the app, send us the Ref number.

Drainage & Sewage: Fairfield and Dickens blockages are cleared. However, we must close the final sewage issue at Dickens to ensure the ecosystem recovers and wildlife returns from Kenneth Stainbank. The Coastal Stormwater Department have been fantastic to work with they are hands on and are brilliant at working through issues with us.

Air Pollution: The DFFE and KZNTEA issued a final compliance notice to the Municipality regarding illegal burning on municipal property. The city must fence these areas at their own cost and stop access to these areas. We will interact with the media in March to get this issue back at the top of minds.

DSW/CSW: After a service breakdown last Thursday, we escalated concerns to CSW for a root cause analysis. We secured a cleanup on the 27th, but are still waiting for promised black bag deliveries. Orange bag collection is set for next week as well as Orange Bag deliveries. Remember Blue bags need to be purchased at your local retailer and must have the DSW logo to be picked up.

Roads: Tarring on Lille Road is outstanding. Bellmuir, Cannon, Wrenford and all others where it has been reported. A sinking manhole in Norton and various potholes have been logged. The Roads Department is now engaged but facing a depleted budget for the financial year which has hampered success.

Street Lights: Ongoing work at Middleton, Angle, and Oldfield. Challinor has one light working; let’s keep it that way. Daylight burning remains a significant waste of resources. Well done to Middleton for the verge clean-up. It truly makes a difference when you see what it could be.

February Wins 🏆

1. Woodlands & Mervyn: Bush cut and removed.
2. Eric Road: Old light pole finally removed.
3. Water Meter: Resident’s meter repaired after 3 months.
4. Burst Pipes: Repaired on Angle Road and near BMW.
5. Rubble Removal: Cleared on Rocky Ridge and Limber.
6. Street Lights Restored: Rocky Ridge, Bayswater, Dowland, Limber, Woodlands, and Fairfield (mostly).
7. Angle Road: Leaning poles (5 and 9) sorted; sinkhole at No. 9 repaired after 6 months.
8. Blankenberg: Hanging cables secured.
9. Leaky Limber: Repaired overnight—a record turnaround for eThekwini. Less than 8hours from Logging to repair. Well done eThekwini we woke up and had water!
10. Road Markings: New markings live at Bellair Primary. We are now pushing for traffic calming and a crossing guard. We want to ensure our adopted kids at Bellair are safe. They are our future leaders.

Digital Progress & Communication

Our application development has been slow, but we are pushing forward. Once live, it will provide dashboards so you have full visibility of our progress.

Because we are currently balancing app-building with manual fault-tracking, please nudge us on outstanding issues.

• Email us: hello@unityincommunity.org.za as a reminder to follow up on your fault.
• Feedback: Tell us if we are earning your trust or where we have let you down. We can only grow stronger if we listen.

Reflection: A Tribute to Michelle Visagie

As we move into March, we pay tribute to Michelle Visagie, a young community member.

It is a time to reflect: What should we be remembered for? Have we been of service to others? What impact have we made with the breath we have been given?

Our progress may be slow, but it is tangible. Persistence and presence pay off. Thank you to our volunteers, Street Captains, Animal Welfare, and the Neighbors on Neighbornet. This group is special. Things are moving in the right trajectory.

Lets March On.