Small daily habits, BIG community change

Platinum Weekly newspaper | Rustenburg – Visible action speaks louder than promises — and throughout January, Our Ward Matters (OWM) proved exactly that with a series of hands-on community clean-ups across Wards 16 and 17, restoring safety, cleanliness, and pride in shared public spaces. Guided by community leadership and powered by volunteers, residents, and partners, these clean-ups tackled overgrown vegetation, illegal dumping, and safety risks — turning neglected areas into spaces residents can once again feel proud of.

Rivers Area clean-ups | 21 and 22 January 2026
On Wednesday, 21 January, Cllr Tanya Rothman led the Our Ward Matters team in the Rivers area, starting at Rockridge View. The team cut long, overgrown grass, cleared roadside vegetation, and improved visibility along the route toward Little Margate, reducing safety risks for pedestrians and motorists alike. The work continued on Thursday, 22 January, with focused debushing around Nylapies and rubbish removal throughout Ward 17. 

Responding to Community Calls | 26 Jan
On 26 January, Our Ward Matters responded to a resident’s request for help at the corner of Fiddlewood Place and Cycad Avenue, where dense overgrowth had become a serious safety concern. Armed with pangas, brushcutters, blowers, and determination, the team cleared bushes along boundary walls, removed grass from roadways, cleaned the area thoroughly, and collected all litter. As the work progressed, nearby residents joined in — contributing toward the clean-up and demonstrating real community spirit.

Azaleapark, Selly Park and Ward 16 Action | 27 January
The momentum continued on 27 January, beginning in Azaleapark (Ward 17) along Langeberg Avenue, where grass cutting and debushing helped reduce crime risk and the danger of veld fires from the mountain side. From there, the team moved to Kougaberg Avenue, cleaning the area and loading a skip arranged by Cllr Tanya Rothman in partnership with the RLM Waste Department. The skip was made available for residents, encouraging responsible waste disposal. Later that day, attention turned to Ward 16, at the Manuka Substation near Geelhoutpark SPAR. Thick vegetation had completely obscured visibility, making the area unsafe for pedestrians. 

COMMUNITY SUPPORT MAKES IT POSSIBLE
Our Ward Matters carries ongoing costs to keep this vital work going. Residents and businesses are encouraged to support the initiative through donations or sponsorships — whether petrol, brushcutter line, refuse bags, PPE, or financial contributions.

“Small daily habits may seem ordinary, but when practiced with consistency, they create remarkable results that change communities, not just individuals.”
— André Van Dyk

WANT TO HELP?
Contact André (076?057?1669), Ilse (078?258?6620), or Ronel (072?854?8965).
Banking details: Our Ward Matters | FNB | Acc: 63038972641 | Branch: 258055 | Ref: OWM
Together, we clean. Together, we care. Together, Our Ward Matters.

Main photo: Our Ward Matters turns consistency into cleaner, safer Wards 16 and 17.