Our Ward Matters

03/09/2026

Tuesday, 1 September – Our Ward Matters Ward 15

We continued our work in Protea Park, focusing on Mispel Avenue and the surrounding streets, as well as the area around Protea Park Laerskool towards Wildevy Centre.
Today, our focus was on something that might seem small, but makes a big difference to safety and the appearance of our community our road and street signs.

Our team didn't simply paint over them. We first removed the rust and prepared the signs, before restoring them to their former glory.
We split the team into two groups:
🔹 Team 1 restored 26 road signs
🔹 Team 2 restored 16 road signs
That's 42 road signs improved in one day!

Broken, damaged or missing road signs are not just an eyesore they can create serious safety risks and contribute to accidents, particularly for motorists, emergency services and visitors who rely on clear street identification.

While working, we also identify, report and escalate other problems we find in our communities. Our Ward Matters believes in action — not simply pointing out problems, but doing what we can and making sure the right departments are aware of issues that require municipal attention.
Let's be proud of where we live.
When residents take pride in their streets, businesses support their communities and organisations like Our Ward Matters keep showing up, we can create a visible difference.
One sign. One street. One community at a time.

Cllr André van Dyk
Ilse du Preez (OWM)
Cllr Tanya Rothman

01/09/2026

Monday, 31 August – Our Ward Matters | Ward 15
We started Monday by driving through Ward 15, taking photographs and making notes of the progress we have made so far.

We have received numerous complaints regarding the BP Safari area and the lounges in Helen Joseph. We are pleased that the lounges have now been removed.
At Wildevy and surrounding areas, we still have concerns regarding squatters and drinking in public. We are waiting for Public Safety to assist with the removal of the squatters and to address the drinking in public problem.

In the meantime, Our Ward Matters continues to maintain the areas we have already worked on. Consistency is what turns a clean-up into lasting change.
The team then moved to Tamarisk Avenue, next to the open veld, where we cut the grass and kept the open space neat. A friendly resident also assisted us in cleaning around the area where the bees are located — thank you for taking hands with us.

We also removed grass growing into the road and picked up rubbish in Protea Park.
Our Ward Matters doesn't just clean and leave. We return. We maintain. We monitor. We act

Our Ward Matters
Ilse du Preez
Cllr André van Dyk
Cllr Tanya Rothman & RLM Waste Department

30/08/2026

Wednesday & Thursday, 26–27 August – Our Ward Matters in Action

Wednesday, 26 August
Our Ward Matters, together with Cllr Tanya Rothman, moved through Ward 17 focusing on one of the biggest problems we have been battling for almost five years: illegal dumping and littering.
Our team worked through the Rivers area, picking up rubbish and moving all the way towards Sellypark.
It is frustrating that after almost five years of cleaning, we continue to find the same problem in our communities. But we will not simply walk away. We will continue to clean, educate, raise awareness and encourage residents to take responsibility for the environment around them.

Thursday, 27 August
After another round of picking up rubbish, Our Ward Matters moved into the Dachill area, where the team started cutting and debushing with our brushcutters on both sides of the road.
We continued moving up the area, clearing overgrown grass to improve visibility and safety, while also helping to beautify the surroundings.
Our team used spades to remove grass growing into the road and finished by using the blower to clean up the area properly.
This is what consistent community work looks like.
Thousands of residents benefit from a cleaner and safer Ward but the reality is that more residents need to get behind Our Ward Matters.

Our equipment works hard every week, and so does our team. Petrol, brushcutter line, oil, servicing, repairs, refuse bags and equipment all come at a cost.
The more support we receive, the more we can achieve.
If you live in Ward 17 and benefit from the work we do, please consider making a contribution, sponsoring equipment, volunteering your time, or simply spreading the word.
A clean Ward is everyone's responsibility.
Let's stop waiting for someone else to make the difference.
Be part of the change. Support Our Ward Matters

Ilse du Preez OWM
Cllr Tanya Rothman Ward 17
Cllr Andre van Dyk Ward 15
Our Ward Matters team 🙌

30/08/2026

28/08/2026

Monday & Tuesday, 24–25 August – Our Ward Matters in Action

Monday, 24 August
Our Ward Matters continued our work in Helen Joseph, starting from Blikkies Vol Liefde towards Robin Avenue.
The team focused on cutting grass on both sides of Helen Joseph, picking up rubbish and debushing overgrown areas to improve visibility and safety for residents, pedestrians and motorists.

Tuesday, 25 August
We moved across to Sparrow Avenue, cutting grass and picking up rubbish around the corner of Sparrow and Vink Avenue.
There are clear No Dumping signs in the area, yet we are concerned about what is taking place in the bushes. Our Ward Matters will be checking the area more thoroughly next week to understand what is happening and what further action may be needed.

The team also cut grass along Vink Avenue, including the open veld opposite House 44.
Our goal remains simple: cleaner, safer and more visible communities where residents can feel proud of where they live.

But we cannot do this alone.
Please support our community clean-ups. Donations towards petrol, brushcutter line, oil, maintenance, repairs and refuse bags help us keep our equipment working and our team on the ground.

Every contribution helps. Every clean-up makes a difference.
Our Ward Matters

24/08/2026

Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zones – Our Ward Matters in Tlhabane
To make a real impact, sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zones, go where the need is greatest, and simply get to work.

After extensive planning between Vusumuzi Jele, Jonathan van Rensburg both DA candidates for the 2026 election—and myself, Cllr André van Dyk, Founder & Director of Our Ward Matters, we set out to organise a community clean-up in Tlhabane, focusing on Reuben Monareng Primary School and the area around the church across the road.

A huge thank you to the Rustenburg Local Municipality Waste Department for supporting Our Ward Matters with a skip. We truly appreciate you taking hands with us and believing that by working together, we can build a cleaner Rustenburg.
What happened on Saturday was bigger than a clean-up.
People started arriving, and slowly the numbers grew. Then the community came together.
Ward Committee Member Belinda Kruger and James Kruger joined us, even bringing their granddaughter along to be part of the action.

DA Councillors Tony, Vivian and Nelio, together with Deputy Leader Luan Snyders, joined us on the ground and got involved.
We had roughly 40 people taking hands.
Then Duma arrived with a big entrance, music and an incredible energy that created a positive atmosphere and brought even more excitement to the day.

We were also honoured to have our Provincial Leader, MPL Freddy Sonakile, join us on the ground not simply to speak, but to pick up rubbish and work alongside everyone else..Made sure everyone had food and cooldrinks after a hard days work.

We began with prayer, led by Vusumuzi Jele, who reminded us that serving our communities is about more than politics or positions. It is about humility, responsibility, unity and being willing to serve others.
After the prayer, I gave the team instructions—and immediately everyone jumped in.
Our Ward Matters got to work with the brushcutters. Others took spades and removed grass from the roads. Every person found something to do.
Some picked up litter.
Some cut grass.
Some cleared the road.
Some carried rubbish.
And the residents themselves came out with brooms and started sweeping their streets.
That moment was powerful.
People taking pride in where they live.

The area is unfortunately extremely neglected. We found overgrown grass, extensive illegal dumping, rubbish, and water running continuously from a fire hydrant.
And this is right next to a primary school and churches.
These conditions are not simply about how an area looks. They are about health, safety and dignity. Waste attracts pests, creates health risks, blocks and damages the environment, and teaches the next generation the wrong lesson about how we treat our surroundings.

Our open spaces and streets should not become dumping grounds.
This is why education is just as important as cleaning. We can clean an area today, but if people continue dumping tomorrow, the problem returns.
We must set the example, show the way, educate our communities and hope others follow.
A special thank you to the Tlhabane team, who have already volunteered with Our Ward Matters on several occasions. Your continued commitment shows that community spirit has no boundaries.

And to every resident who picked up a broom, spade, picker or bag—you are part of the change.
This is what happens when people stop waiting for someone else and decide:
"I can make a difference."
We stepped outside our comfort zone. We entered an area that needed attention. And together, we showed what is possible when communities take hands.
Don't just talk about change. Be the example.

Vusumuzi Jele
Jonathan van Rensburg
Founder & Ward 15 Cllr André van Dyk & the Our Ward Matters team.
DA Rustenburg
DA North West
RLM Waste Department

24/08/2026

19 & 20 August – Our Ward Matters in Action

Cllr Tanya Rothman led and supervised the Our Ward Matters team as we continued another community clean-up project.
We started at Nylapies, before moving towards the hill along Helen Joseph Road, leading towards the pump station.
Our team focused on debushing, cutting back overgrown grass and picking up rubbish, opening up the area and improving visibility and safety for residents.
From there, the team continued down Waterberg Avenue, where we had previously started cutting deeper into the veld. This is an important area used by residents for walking, jogging and exercise, and maintaining the open space improves visibility and creates a safer environment for everyone using the road.
Clearing the thick vegetation also helps reduce the risk of veld fires, especially as dry grass and overgrown areas can allow fires to spread quickly.

This is not a once-off clean-up. We return, we maintain, and we keep moving forward.
A cleaner and safer community requires consistent action, and Our Ward Matters remains committed to doing the work on the ground.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support our team. We need your support to keep the brushcutters running, cover petrol, maintenance, line and refuse bags. Every contribution helps us achieve more.
Our Ward Matters — taking action, restoring pride, and making a visible difference.
Ilse du Preez
Cllr Tanya Rothman
Cllr André van Dyk

19/08/2026

Monday & Tuesday, 17–18 August – Our Ward Matters in Action
We started the week by cleaning all sides of the Kruger Bridge, continuing our commitment to reclaiming and maintaining these neglected areas.
A very special thank you to Jacques from Wildevy Centre, who generously bought refuse bags for our team. The bags lasted us through both days and made a huge difference to the work we could accomplish.
Jacques, thank you for always standing with Our Ward Matters and helping wherever you can. Your continued support means a lot to us. 🙏
We have also sent the location to the Rustenburg Local Municipality Waste Department so that the collected refuse bags can be removed.

Tuesday, 18 August
Our Ward Matters then moved to Blikkies Vol Liefde, at the corner of Loerie and Helen Joseph.
Our team started debushing and cutting back the grass approximately two metres into the veld, while simultaneously picking up rubbish and working our way towards Bergbos Animal Clinic.
This is about maintaining what we have already started and continuing to move forward.
Our goal is clear: we want to work our way through the whole of Helen Joseph, opening up neglected areas, improving visibility, reducing fire risks, removing illegal dumping, and creating safer and cleaner spaces for residents.
But this work takes fuel, equipment, brushcutter line, maintenance, refuse bags and many hours of hard work.

We need your support.
Residents, businesses, churches and community members please take hands with Our Ward Matters. Every donation, big or small, helps us keep our teams on the ground and continue making a visible difference.
We don't just start projects. We maintain them. We return. And we keep moving forward.
Our Ward Matters gets the job done. 💪

Ilse du Preez
Cllr André van Dyk
Cllr Tanya Rothman
RLM Waste Department

18/08/2026

13 January – 17 August 2026 | Our Ward Matters: From Action to Accountability
We started 2026 with a bang.
On 13 January, Our Ward Matters began a major project at Wildevy Centre and Kruger Street, next to the Rustenburg Baptiste Kerk.
What started as a clean-up quickly became a much bigger commitment to reclaiming neglected spaces and improving safety for the community.

Since then, our teams have worked on both sides of the bridge and surrounding open spaces, cutting back overgrown vegetation, removing illegal dumping, clearing rubbish, improving visibility and opening areas that had become neglected.
We have seen what consistent action can achieve. Areas that were once overgrown and filled with rubbish have been opened up, maintained and transformed. We have worked alongside residents, businesses, churches and the Rustenburg Local Municipality Waste Department, taking hands wherever possible.

But the work is far from finished.

Today, 17 August, we were back there again.
Our Ward Matters cleaned the area once more, and I also met with Wildevy management and Pastor Jackie Gouws to discuss the ongoing challenges.
We are receiving serious complaints regarding illegal squatters, drinking in public, illegal dumping and crime in the area. These problems affect everyone the residents who live nearby, businesses trying to operate, churches serving their congregations, and our schools and children who deserve a safe environment.

Cleaning the area is only one part of the solution. Safety, enforcement, municipal services and community responsibility must all work together.

As your Ward 15 Councillor, I will continue working on the ground. I will continue listening to residents, engaging businesses and churches, working with municipal departments, and fighting for the environment, safety and quality of life our community deserves.
We cannot simply clean an area once and walk away.
We return. We monitor. We engage. We act.

Our Ward Matters has shown what consistent community action can achieve. Now we need to build on that work and tackle the serious challenges that remain.
To the residents, businesses, schools, churches and everyone who has raised concerns: I hear you, and I will continue working for you.
This is your community.
It deserves to be clean.
It deserves to be safe.
And it deserves leadership that is present on the ground.
We don't just talk about change. We work for it

Ilse du Preez
Cllr André van Dyk
Cllr Tanya Rothman
Our Ward Matters Team
RLM Waste Department