Page 10 - Fourways Gardens April 2021

Estate News

We are especially pleased to report
that we have done a complete
personnel evaluation and all
staff are on contracts, as has long
been the goal, and that all staff
share in the tips that the residents
generously give.

With an eye on the figures, with
weekly reporting, there has been a
great improvement in controls to maximise the benefit to residents – Zoks Schwellnus – Chairman
as seen in price reductions when possible. At all times, the team strives Nature Reserve clean-up
to exceed guest expectations, from the scullers in the kitchen, right What a great asset this is for Phase 1, though unfortunately not without
through to the commis and sous chefs, waitrons and delivery drivers. its issues. The reserve does not belong to us – it is public land managed
by City Parks. The people from City Parks are very helpful despite their
The events have been severely restricted due to COVID but we have limited means. A big clean-up operation took place with help from
managed to introduce Bongi and Dylan to entertain you. Bongi has some residents in November.
definitely been a huge success with the adults and kids. There will be
a concerted drive to introduce some really innovative and exciting The dassies are a problem and, with no natural enemies, their numbers
events in the coming months as long as further COVID restrictions are have escalated and are now out of control. Measures are in place to
not imposed. deal with them, albeit not very successfully!

Russell Geraghty – The terrapins, which are also not indigenous to the area, have mutated
Clubhouse Director from exotic animals that have been left in the Nature Reserve. They
Clubhouse have bred prolifically and, unfortunately, the control of these animals,
improvements while controversial and costly, is now necessary.
and proposed
plan Another problem is the deteriorating fence separating the Nature
Our primary objective Reserve and the residents’ properties surrounding it. A new ‘ClearVu’
was to ensure that fence would be ideal but how do we finance this? Suggestions
we get the Club welcome!
compliant in terms of
Health and Safety and Update on when and how the AGM will work
improve the product It has been more than a year since we last met as a community.
offering and service levels. With the forced closure and restrictions Unfortunately, COVID-19 regulations and our current Memorandum
of trade due to COVID, the team focused on hygiene, staff training of Incorporation (MOI) makes it very difficult for us to do so and while
and product development during the first 8 months of the last year. the current lockdown level does allow for a maximum of 250 people
spread out on the lawn or an inside meeting with only 100 people, we
We were forced to replace a number of kitchen and restaurant items think it prudent to respect the circumstances and hold a virtual AGM.
to be able to achieve our primary objectives and approximately
R400 000 has had to be spent to get the Club to a level that is Distinct from other Residential Estates, our MOI does not allow for us
commercially acceptable. to hold an AGM by ‘Electronic Communication’ (See Clause 18.2.2). In
terms of Clause 18.1.1, it also does not allow for any meetings to be
The team passed their annual Department of Health inspection and held with an intermediary.
the programmes and procedures that we have implemented have
enabled the Club to maintain the required standards. We have over Despite this, we have legal opinion that, based on these being
the year introduced three new menus and have also converted an old ‘extraordinary circumstances’ and ‘unprecedented times’, we would
office into our own Sushi kitchen, which has proven to be very popular. like to ask all residents who have any objection to us (or a third party)
facilitating an auditable AGM via virtual means to please respond in
The existing layout and design of the Club is not optimal. Many writing to info@fwg.co.za.
residents have commented on the ‘canteen look and feel’. This, together
with the kitchen configuration, needs an overhaul. Preliminary Without an AGM we cannot even approve a budget for the running of
concept drawings are being reviewed and we could, with various our estate let alone polling of resolutions, collecting proxies or electing
levels of investment, take the Club to a similar standard as some of our members.
neighbouring estates. The various options will be shared in due course.
Once we have your blessing to hold a virtual AGM, we will give everyone
We see the Club as the hub of the estate, somewhere where all ample time to understand the process and how to participate most
social activities, catering requirements, functions and entertainment effectively.
happens. This secure family environment is going to play a bigger
role in the years ahead and hopefully we will get your full support You can read some of the benefits of a virtual AGM by accessing this
and positive suggestions toward the upgrades. link: https://bit.ly/FWGAGM

Fourways Gardens • 8 • April 2021