13/10/2026
UNIVERSITAS WEST NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION (UWNA)
MONTHLY REPORT #5 | OCTOBER 2026
Dear Universitas Residents
It is a great privilege for the management team to once again update our residents on the projects undertaken, the progress made, as well as the plans and actions put in place. It is hard to believe that we are already at the beginning of our fifth month! ⏱️
At the start of this report, we would like to emphasise that all management members view our role in a serious light as part of our community service — not to gain recognition or prestige, but simply to do our best for our beloved neighbourhood.
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STRATEGIC PLAN & SAFETY
In our previous report ( #4), UWNA indicated that we have a comprehensive **Strategic Plan** in place to systematically maintain and care for Universitas West’s parks, gardens, medians, sidewalks, servitudes, and walkways to ensure our attention is distributed evenly across the entire neighbourhood.
As mentioned in previous reports, some areas in Universitas were informally occupied by park sleepers and opportunists. Certain areas were completely overgrown, difficult to manage, and required rehabilitation.
UWNA has consistently removed these structures over a five-month period, reducing access to hiding spots in our neighbourhood to a minimum and helping to ensure the safety of our residents.
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OUR PRIVATE PARTNERS, SPONSORS & TEAM
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our private partners and sponsors for their continued financial and practical support, without which the Association would certainly not be able to tackle this massive task:
🛒 **Checkers**
⚓ **Anchors of Hope**
🎁 **Anonymous donors & local residents**
👷♂️ **Our Dedicated Work Team:**
Last but certainly not least, we want to thank our hardworking team for their dedication every single day: **Lucky, Isaac, David, Meschack, Geelbooi, and Azolo!**
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SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES (PAST 30 DAYS)*
SERVITUDES:
🔹 **Hannes Pretorius Servitude / Du Plessis Crescent (along De Bruyn Street):** Due to the recent good rains, UWNA focused on cleanup operations such as picking up paper and litter. Where we previously experienced issues with park sleepers frustrating residents, we received **no further complaints** this past month!
🔹 **Ryno Kriel Servitude & Sewage Pump Station:** Thank you to our residents and 'Friends of Ryno Kriel' for their financial contributions towards maintaining this area. UWNA is currently still negotiating with a sponsor to install a new fence to replace the damaged fence at the walkway leading to the N1.
🔹 **Servitude between Van Rooy Street and President Paul Kruger Street:** Tonie and team, thank you very much for regularly mowing the grass!
PARKS:
🌳 **Kwartz Park:** UWNA supports Heinrich and his team in their cleanup operations. We assist in cleaning the park every Monday and Friday. UWNA is currently in discussions with Mangaung Law Enforcement to assist us and the CPF in preventing "blessers" and students from drinking in public.
🌳 **Paul Kruger Park:** Weeds were removed from the kerbs, and kerbs are cleaned regularly. Thank you to the residents who provided refreshments to the workers!
*(Sad news: We unfortunately lost a few crowned lapwing / Kiewiet chicks this season after they fell into the gutters and could not reunite with the adults).*
On Heritage Day, we spent our time productively by planting **nine young trees** in the area alongside enthusiastic residents!
🌳 **JF Park:** UWNA supported the cleanup and removal of refuse, black bags, lawn cuttings, and overgrowth. Special thanks to the 'Friends of JF Park' (especially Mr. Gert Jordaan) and to Tonie and team for mowing the grass.
🌳 **Van Rooy Park:** Thank you to Tonie, Christo, and residents for looking after the park. The Centlec substation occasionally shelters park sleepers — thank you to the 'Friends of Van Rooy Park' who keep a watchful eye!
🌳 **Pikkie Park:** It is a pure joy to see residents enjoying the park! However, we urgently request residents **not to dump refuse or black bags**, especially around the play area. 🚯 Thank you to Pikkieland, surrounding residents, and Mr. Michael Reynolds (UPNA) for their support!
🌳 **Forsyth Park:** A joint project between UPNA and UWNA, maintained by the residents themselves — thank you for your ongoing efforts!
🌳 **Veen Crescent:** Following two months of negotiations with Centlec and Mangaung Parks, including site meetings, they came to the rescue! The tall grass was properly mowed, eliminating a major security risk.
🌳 **Louis Bok Park & Verster Street Park:** Thank you to the surrounding residents who maintain and care for these parks themselves!
MEDIANS:
🌱 **President Paul Kruger Avenue (South of Tjokkies Primary up to Bell Conservatorium):** UWNA cleans the medians and kerbs weekly. Checkers has also committed to cleaning the sidewalks and parking area daily, as well as providing food and drinks for our weekday team!
🌱 **Walter Sisulu Medians:** Thank you to Sylvia van Wyk and her team for maintaining these medians, watering the plants, and planting roses and shrubs. 🌹 Sincere thanks also to an anonymous donor who contracted *Anchors of Hope* to clean and mow the Walter Sisulu medians for at least eight months!
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ONGOING & NEW PROJECTS
♻️ **1. Save Nature for Later (Recycling at Shell Boersma Street):**
Thank you to Sylvia van Wyk, Virna Patterson, and participating residents. We encourage all residents to join this green initiative! 🌍
💰 **2. Bling a Ching:**
Thank you to every resident and business entity for your financial contributions. We truly appreciate your support!
🌳 **3. Our Parks, Our Pride:**
Cleanup operations and tree planting remain top priorities. **October 2026** is earmarked for **upgrading the play area at Van Rooy Park!** 🛝 Details will be shared later this week!
🛠️ **4. Together We Patch, Together We Succeed (Pothole Project):**
In collaboration with Raubex and MMM! UWNA completed a thorough pothole audit across most streets in Universitas and handed the report to the Ward 26 Councillor to speed up repairs. 🚗
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COOPERATION WITH UPNA & COMMUNICATION
UWNA and UPNA have established a close working relationship to reduce costs and prevent duplication. The joint **PROUDLY / TROTS / KA MOTLOTLO UNIVERSITAS** network symbolises our community’s resilience and strength! 💪
We manage a joint page and website as a **one-stop information hub**.
Our WhatsApp group already has over **150+ residents** receiving project updates, progress reports, and local business support.
*Keep an eye on this page — the broader Universitas community will soon be invited to join!*
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Together we stand strong for Universitas! 💙
Management – Universitas West Neighbourhood Association (UWNA)
New UPNA Management Team
Chairperson: Zelda Theron
Vice Chairperson: Willem Pretorius
Secretary: Nomsa Marches
Treasurer: Gert v/d Merwe
Security Manager: Michiel Ward
Project Manager: Eugene Theron
