Page 6 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 2_2023
P. 6

Intro





































         POWER TO THE PEOPLE





               outh Africa is a truly unique   In the Dainfern Precinct, this connection   or community fair. This helps to bring
               country, and it is almost    can take many forms. It might mean   people together and build relationships.
               impossible to describe the   chatting with your neighbours over the   Such events also create a sense of
        Saverage South African to an        fence, joining a neighbourhood book   belonging and camaraderie among
        outsider. Yet, while many common    club, or organising a block party. It might   residents.
        threads tie us together, we are also   mean sharing tools, exchanging recipes,
        proud of our diversity. We have 11   or simply lending a listening ear.  3. We encourage volunteering: Engaging
        official languages, and our fellow                                      residents in volunteer work, such as
        compatriots come from a vibrant mix of   "Never doubt that a small      cleaning public spaces, planting trees,
        cultures, heritages and ethnicities. What   group of thoughtful,        or organising charitable events, helps
        makes us stand out is how, despite so                                   to develop a sense of responsibility and
        many factors, we still pull together and   committed citizens can       pride in the community.
        create communities within this crazy mix.   change the world; indeed,   4. We promote safety and security:
        And the Dainfern Precinct is a perfect    it’s the only thing that      Encouraging residents to take safety
        example of this. Despite our varied             ever has".              measures and precautions for the
        backgrounds, we pool our resources and       -Margaret Mead             community, such as neighbourhood
        stand together to ensure our community                                  watch, safety patrols or installing CCTV
        is strong, safe and the ideal place to raise                            cameras, builds trust and cooperation
        kids and prepare the next generation.  Life is hectic – it’s easy to feel isolated   among neighbours.
        With the fast-paced lifestyles of the 21st   and disconnected  - but by coming
        century, it’s easy to get caught up in our   together, we can build bridges between   These are just a few reasons why we
        own little worlds and forget about the   people of different races, cultures, and   are so lucky to live in a precinct that
        people around us. That’s why spaces   backgrounds. Here are some of the ways   values the power of the community and
        such as ours are becoming increasingly   we aim to build community spirit within   harnesses it like a superpower. There is
        popular – they offer a safe and secure   our precinct :                 strength in numbers, which benefit us in
        environment where neighbours can    1. We foster open communication:    so many ways. It’s not just about more
        come together and build a sense of   Residents are encouraged to share their   people. It’s more minds, skills, resources,
        community.                          ideas and concerns through regular   ideas and support. It’s priceless.
                                            meetings and surveys. In addition, we
        But what does community really mean?   have platforms where residents can   All the best,
        Is it just a buzzword politicians use to   communicate easily with one another
        win votes, or is something deeper at   and share news and updates about               Nicola
        play here? Well, in my opinion, the   happenings in the community.
        community is all about connection. It’s
        about creating a sense of belonging and   2. We organise community events:  The            nicola@eiapublishing.co.za
        finding common ground with the people   precinct is always excited about the
        around us.                          next social gathering, family fun day,



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