Page 8 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 11 December 2024

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BETTER FOURWAYS

A COMMUNITY TAKING CHARGE

ourways residents already know their community fall apart. What began as didn’t happen overnight or come from the
the story. You’ve seen the green a handful of volunteers cleaning up parks city council. They’re the result of residents
Better Fourways signs around the and repairing potholes has become a well- rolling up their sleeves and asking, What
Fsuburb, heard about the clean-ups, organised, community-driven non-profit. But can I do today to improve this place?
and maybe even donated a little to support at its heart, Better Fourways remains what
the cause. But behind the visible efforts it’s always been—a movement powered by WHY IT MATTERS
lies a journey worth sharing—a story of how people who care. Better Fourways isn’t just about fixing
ordinary people turned frustration into a broken fences or picking up litter. It’s about
force for change. THE SPIRIT OF BETTER FOURWAYS reclaiming a sense of ownership over where
Every great community project begins we live. Around the world, we’ve seen what
It began a few years ago, in a suburb many with a story, and Fourways is no different. happens when communities step up—like
of us love but were watching slip through What makes this initiative stand out isn’t in Bogota, where neighbourhood groups
the cracks. Roads were deteriorating, litter just the work being done—it’s the spirit turned neglected parks into safe spaces,
piled up on the verges, and complaints behind it. This isn’t a flashy, headline- or in Cape Town, where local initiatives
about municipal neglect went unanswered. grabbing campaign. It’s quiet, consistent, transformed rundown streets into vibrant
Yet, while the problems grew, a group of and relentless. The team behind Better public areas.
residents asked a different question: What if Fourways has spent countless hours
we didn’t wait for someone else? What if we restoring pride in the suburb, proving that Closer to home, Better Fourways is part of
fixed it ourselves? even the smallest actions add up over time. the same movement: neighbours taking
Think about the subtle changes you’ve charge to maintain the suburb and improve
That question became the foundation of seen: tidier streets, less graffiti, and a it. It’s about showing that local action still
Better Fourways, a grassroots initiative growing sense that Fourways is a suburb matters even in a city as big and complex as
started by neighbours who refused to let people care about. These improvements Johannesburg.

C ON T A C T U S

For those who want to support Better Fourways, contributions are always appreciated. Residents
can donate R130 a month, while businesses are encouraged to contribute R1000. Every
contribution goes directly towards improving the suburb of Fourways, with finances carefully
audited to ensure transparency.

B E T T E R F O U R W A Y S N P O
Bank: Standard Bank, Fourways Mall
Account Number: 333049624
Branch Code: 051001
Or contribute online through BackaBuddy: backabuddy.co.za/campaign/better-fourways\

6 DPL issue 11 2024