Our Ward Matters

04/06/2026

Wednesday, 3rd June

Our Ward Matters continued working in Cuckoo Avenue as part of our preparations leading up to the community project with the Care Centre on 6 June.

Over the past few days, the team has been hard at work from Waterberg Avenue, the corner of Waterberg and Cuckoo, and the road island at Augrabies and Cuckoo Avenue, continuing down Cuckoo Avenue and into Elandsrivier, ending near Paula's Guest House.

Cllr Tanya Rothman led and supervised the clean-up, ensuring the team continued restoring these important areas for residents. Through cutting grass, debushing, picking up litter, and opening up neglected spaces, we are creating a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful environment for everyone.

This Saturday we will continue with the remainder of Cuckoo Avenue and Tortelduif Street, and we invite residents to support this ongoing effort.
To keep these clean-ups going, we need:
⛽ Petrol
🗑️ Heavy-duty refuse bags
🌿 Brushcutter line
🔧 Funds for maintenance and servicing of equipment

We have recently repaired several brushcutters, but ongoing maintenance remains essential if we are to continue making a difference in our communities.
Every donation, no matter how small, helps us keep moving forward.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support Our Ward Matters and believes in building a cleaner, safer Rustenburg.

Our Ward Matters
André van Dyk
With Cllr Tanya Rothman

03/06/2026

Tuesday, 2nd of June

Our Ward Matters was opposite BP Safari today, continuing our clean-up efforts in the Helen Joseph area.
The team started by cutting the grass in the open space and around the road island as you turn left into Arend Road from Helen Joseph. Using spades, we removed the sand and grass growing around the island and gave the entire area a much-needed makeover.

The team also debushed and picked up rubbish from Bergbos Clinic towards BP Garage, while on the Helen Joseph side we continued cutting grass against the houses, opened a storm drain, and debushed moving towards the bridge.

These are areas hundreds of residents use daily, and step by step the visible difference in Helen Joseph is becoming remarkable.

Tomorrow, when driving to work or dropping your children off at school, take a moment to look at the amazing progress and positive change that has been made so far.
Please continue supporting our community clean-ups so we can keep restoring and maintaining our beautiful town.

Our Ward Matters
André van Dyk
With Cllr Tanya Rothman

02/06/2026

When we arrive for a clean-up and find Wouter from Vista Café already walking around Wildevy Centrum with a picker and refuse bag picking up rubbish that is what community spirit and leadership looks like.

The amazing thing about positivity and visible change is that it inspires others to care, to get involved, and to take pride in their surroundings.

What started as clean-ups and restoring neglected spaces is slowly creating a culture where people want to protect and keep their community clean.
Today we brought back-up for Wouter and together cleaned the whole area around Wildevy Centrum.

I also want to take a moment to thank everyone for the kind messages, encouragement, and support we receive daily. Sometimes a simple message reminds us why we continue doing this work.

Together we can accomplish so much more.
Together we can create cleaner, safer, and more beautiful communities.

Our Ward Matters
André van Dyk
With Cllr Tanya Rothman

02/06/2026

For months the open velds at Wildevy and Kruger Street on both sides of Kruger Bridge have remained one of our main focus areas. Even while we continue working in other Wards and areas, we keep returning to maintain the project we started because we care deeply about the safety, environment, and future of this community.

Some illegal squatters have left or been removed over the past few months, but new challenges continue to arise. There are now more individuals living in the area with no intention of leaving. Against the N4 there is ongoing dumping, rubbish scattered throughout the veld, and even new illegal structures being built. One large tree that fell over is now being used as part of another structure.

Drugs are openly being used in plain sight, there is public drinking, and regular fighting between individuals staying near Moepel Avenue and next to Rustenburg Baptiste Kerk. The corner as you drive into Wildevy Centrum remains a problem area where public drinking continues daily.

Cllr Tanya Rothman arranged a skip through RLM Waste Department which the team fully loaded, and we appreciate the support and assistance from RLM.

However, the reality remains that this situation requires urgent intervention. Next to Moepel Substation there is a blue illegal structure and more people moving into the area.
We ask: When will Public Safety and RLM assist us in properly addressing these illegal structures and ongoing squatting?

Some of these individuals genuinely need help, rehabilitation, and social support while criminals taking advantage of these spaces must be removed for the safety of residents, businesses, and the broader community.

Our Ward Matters will continue doing what we can: Cleaning, maintaining, opening up hidden areas, and restoring visibility and safety.
But long-term solutions require all stakeholders to take hands.

Our Ward Matters
André van Dyk
0760571669
With Cllr Tanya Rothman
RLM Waste Department

29/05/2026

Taking hands and thinking differently for the future of community clean-ups! ♻️🤝
Not only do we focus on creating a clean and safe environment, protecting nature, inspiring others, and educating residents about illegal dumping we also care deeply about the safety of our communities and residents.

Daleen’s passion for recycling and creative thinking found its way to OWM, and together we are testing new ideas that can improve how we work during our clean-ups.
For normal clean-ups we will still use refuse bags as our team walks through streets and open spaces picking up rubbish. But when we have a skip on site, these reusable bags can become a great tool for separating garden refuse, dumping, glass bottles, plastics, cans, and recycling materials.

Different colours can even be used for different waste types:
♻️ Plastic
♻️ Glass
♻️ Cans
♻️ Garden refuse
♻️ General dumping

This could help our teams recycle more effectively and even create opportunities for team members to earn something extra through recycling initiatives.
We also now have a huge reusable bag for larger loads and next week we’ll put everything to the test and see how well it works in the field!

Daleen also designed a bag pack for our team members to carry PPE, clothing, and equipment, while the apron design helps protect members using the brushcutters during clean-ups.

I come up with ideas, and Daleen designs and creates them for OWM that’s what taking hands is all about..and she is so creative and thinks of things we need for clean-ups that never crossed my mind.
This is Talent.

We absolutely love the designs and cannot wait to test the aprons and bags next week during our clean-ups.
Together we continue building cleaner, safer communities while also thinking about smarter recycling and sustainable solutions for the future.

Taking hands is the way forward. 💙
Our Ward Matters
André van Dyk
Daleen Fourie ( Recycling designer )

29/05/2026

Wednesday, 27th & Thursday, 28th

Another great success for Our Ward Matters as Cllr Tanya Rothman and Michael Rothman led and supervised the team.
The clean-up started at the corner of Augrabies and Cuckoo Avenue, focusing on the large road island near Waterfall Mall. The team worked hard debushing, cutting grass, and cleaning around the island a massive task on such a busy road.

When STOP streets and intersections become overgrown, motorists cannot clearly see traffic signs or oncoming vehicles, creating a serious safety risk. This is why visibility and the safety of residents remain one of our main priorities.

The area at Waterberg and Cuckoo Avenue is now clean, open, and clearly visible.

On Thursday, the team moved to Watervalrivier, working their way down towards Krokodilrivier and Helen Joseph along the water canal. This is an important area that OWM continues to maintain for the residents of the Rivers area, helping to keep it clean, safe, and beautiful.
Thank you to everyone who continues supporting our community clean-ups.

Our Ward Matters picked up rubbish throughout Ward 17 in these two days leading to our clean-up with the Care Centre Rustenburg on the 6th of June 2026.
Our Ward Matters and Marli du Plessis taking hands for a cleaner future for all.

Ward 17
Our Ward Matters
André van Dyk
With Cllr Tanya Rothman

26/05/2026

Tuesday, 26 May

The Our Ward Matters team continued working its way back from Flamboyant Street down Helen Joseph, focusing on removing the grass, sand, and mud that had built up in the road.

We also cleaned yet another Yarona bus stop in Helen Joseph, restoring it to a neat and usable condition for residents who rely on public transport every day. It was encouraging to receive a hoot and a wave from the bus driver a small gesture that reminds us that people notice and appreciate the work being done.

The team also continued with debushing, which residents know is one of the most difficult and time-consuming parts of our clean-ups.
Opening overgrown areas, improving visibility, and restoring neglected spaces takes hard work, dedication, and persistence.

We take pride in our work, we take pride in our communities, and most importantly, we take pride in our home — Rustenburg.

Every bag of rubbish collected, every meter of grass cut, and every area restored helps build a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful community for everyone.

Our Ward Matters
André van Dyk
With Cllr Tanya Rothman

25/05/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Hamilton and Marilize for sponsoring us towards a community project we are planning in the near future.

We truly appreciate you taking hands with Our Ward Matters and for your previous support towards our community clean-ups. Your generosity helps us continue restoring and improving our communities.

One of our upcoming projects will focus on repainting street poles, STOP signs, and road markings.

As we do our clean-ups, we often see faded markings and signs that affect visibility and road safety. Sometimes it feels like motorists don't stop simply because they can't see where they're supposed to! 😉

Please support those who support our community.
The Paint Palette Rustenburg
Vision • Vibrancy • Value
📞 014 001 0339
What a fantastic team! 👏👌

Our Ward Matters
André van Dyk

25/05/2026

Monday, 25 May

Our Ward Matters continued in Helen Joseph, starting just after Bergbos Animal Clinic and working our way towards Flamboyant Street.
The team focused on debushing, cutting grass, and opening up the area to improve visibility, safety, and the overall appearance of the area. We want residents to see the difference that can be made simply by maintaining public spaces, cutting overgrown grass, and removing litter.

While the team worked on clearing and beautifying the area, one dedicated OWM member picked up rubbish all the way to Blikkies Vol Liefde. By the end of the day, we had filled 40 refuse bags.

This is what our community deserves clean, safe, and well-maintained public spaces that residents can be proud of.

If you would like to assist or donate, we would truly appreciate your support. Our ongoing needs include:
• Petrol
• Brushcutter line
• Heavy-duty refuse bags
• Brushcutter servicing and maintenance

Today we also received a generous donation from The Paint Palette towards a community project we are planning.

A special thank you to Hamilton and the team at The Paint Palette Rustenburg for your continued support. Please support those who support our community clean-ups and community projects.
Together, we can continue making a visible difference.

Our Ward Matters
André van Dyk
With Cllr Tanya Rothman

23/05/2026