At its inaugural meeting, the Eversdal Ratepayers’ Association (ERA) elected a steering committee, which will finalise its constitution and help get it off the ground.
The association, which will represent ratepayers, protect their interests and address service delivery issues, met at the Dutch Reformed Church, in Stellenberg, on Monday July 25.
Eversdal resident Hendri Terblanche led the meeting.
He said there was no other organisation in the area ratepayers could turn to to voice their concerns.
“The aim of the association is to promote and protect the interests and welfare of the members of the association by liaising with the municipality and its officials and other organisations, on behalf of residents.
“It will gather and distribute information regarding municipal and City policies and actions and take the necessary steps for the benefit of the residents in the area, thus promoting responsible citizenship,” he said.
Sub-council 3 chairman and DA Ward 21 candidate, Taki Amira, who has helped to establish 12 ratepayers’ groups across the metro over the years, offered to help the ERA finalise its constitution.
“When looking at the boundaries of a ratepayers’ association, it needs to be manageable. I would first set up a steering committee and finalise the constitution. After this, you would call an annual general meeting, where the committee of the association is officially selected,” said Mr Amira.
ERA committee members will be responsible for various portfolios, ranging from safety and security to roads and stormwater. They will liaise with the municipality to ensure problems residents report to them are resolved.
Mr Terblanche said he had been discussing a 42.85 percent spike in his municipal evaluation with others when he realised the City of Cape Town was neglecting several service delivery problems.
“I realised that a ratepayers’ association would be the perfect platform to raise the concerns of residents in order for municipal officials to address it,” he said.
It was agreed at the meeting that the ERA would not charge membership fees.
“I believe that there are other ways in which we can get funding; there are various business models that we can look into.
“The idea is for all residents to join and work together,” said Mr Terblanche.
“The Eversdal community has the very best interest of each other at heart and would do anything to help one another, whether it is to welcome new neighbours or to work together to save water or to raise funds for the installation of security cameras.”
Contact Mr Terblanche at 082 895 1881 or email eversdalratepayers@gmail.com