Dear Welgevonden Homeowners and Residents
I would like to start this newsletter off with a big thank you to all who responded to our invitation to support the firefighters in the Stellenbosch Mountains during the recent fire in Jonkershoek. Your generous donations (we were able to deliver a bakkie load of suitable items and supplies - see the picture below) were gladly accepted by the fire crews. At the same time, it again confirmed the fact that, in times of need, the Welgevonden community can be relied upon to offer support and assistance, even in respect of events not directly related to Welgevonden Estate.
With the recent arrival of many new residents in Welgevonden Estate, in this newsletter I wish to focus on Welgevonden Estate's estate rules, with the intention to appeal for thoughtfulness, consideration, and a spirit of good neighbourliness when residing in our community.
The origin of the estate's rules
The estate rules have been formulated in accordance with the WHOA constitution and form part of the contractual agreement between the WHOA and all of its members. It also applies to others who reside on or enter the estate. These rules have not been designed to be punitive, but were set to serve the best interest of the community.
Concerns
With high-density living in the Estate, there are certain situations and behaviour that could easily adversely affect others living nearby. Examples include, amongst others, excessive noise, late-night parties, and the ongoing barking of dogs.
My view is that the application of rules in these instances can be avoided if we show understanding and tolerance for one another. Ideally the community should resolve matters amongst themselves, and it should not be necessary for estate management to apply punitive measures when things do go wrong. If all parties are willing to allow for a give-and-take scenario in a spirt of mutual understanding and good neighbourliness, it may just be what is needed to prevent frustration and enhance the Welgevonden Estate lifestyle.
I therefore suggest that we give mutual thoughtfulness, consideration, and tolerance a chance in our community!
There are, however, also other concerns regarding incidents that are not necessarily addressed in the finest detail in the rules. In this regard I refer, as examples, to the following:
More and more children (especially very young children) are seen on their own on the streets and on pedestrian walkways with bicycles and skateboards, even motorised skateboards! This poses a risk of collision with residents driving in the estate, or with pedestrians walking on the green areas. Parents and childminders should ensure that young children are supervised when venturing out onto the streets and open areas.
Adults using the paved walkways to go to the dam area on motorbikes (sometimes even carrying passengers). These motorbikes create a real danger for pedestrians and are not allowed on walkways.
Incidents of children causing damage to private property on the estate. Parents, please do your part to ensure that your children enjoy the safe space that the estate offers, but without being a nuisance to others.
Highlighting certain rules
For now, I would like to emphasise the following rules:
1. Speeding and use of the roads
Please adhere to the speed limit and drive attentively. Pedestrians, children at play and pets are precious to us - they must never become accident statistics.
2. Maintenance of properties and streetscape
Owners and residents are responsible for maintaining their properties up to the street boundary. This includes maintenance of any trees planted on the pavement areas between their properties and the street. This is governed by Rule 14 of the Estate Rules, of which the applicable parts read as follows:
14.2 A garden and the area between the street boundary line of an erf and the kerb must always be kept in a neat and tidy state, free of rubble, refuse, litter, other material, and unwanted articles to the satisfaction of Excom.
14.3 Trees, shrubs, or plants in a garden or in the area between the street boundary line of an erf and the kerb must regularly, and when Excom in a particular instance so instructs, be pruned back so that they will not impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic or pose a safety hazard.
3. Control over dogs
Dogs may not roam the estate and must always be kept on leash and tended to when they are not enclosed on their owners' erven. This applies to all instances, also when running on the estate with your dogs, or when walking them on communal areas. Keep in mind that some residents (including children) may feel threatened by dogs or may be concerned about their own dogs with free-running dogs near to them. Dogs may be taken to the dam area (as long as they are kept on leash), but dogs may not swim in the dam.
Furthermore, please pick up your dog's faeces on the public areas and dispose of it (suitable containers are provided). Also, implement measures to prevent your dog from ongoing barking when you are away. At the same time, we request residents to be considerate when dogs do bark (that is what dogs do), especially when there is some activity in the area causing them to do so. It is not always necessary to phone security immediately to complain - as it often happens - as the barking may soon come to an end.
Reporting of disturbances
Please report incidents and complaints immediately to the estate's security office (telephone: 021 889 5209) where the matter will be logged and investigated. Please refrain from posting this on social media in the belief that something will be done about it. Estate management does not follow the estate's social media pages and will not respond to anything posted there.
In conclusion
I wish to acknowledge and thank most residents who abide by the rules, who are thoughtful and considerate, and who continuously contribute to a lifestyle of good neighbourliness. Over many years this way of life has contributed towards Welgevonden Estate offering community living where residents know and greet others during late-afternoon strolls, and where neighbours still talk to and interact with one another - a lifestyle fondly referred to as the Welgevonden way of life.
Kind regards
Gawie Marx
Estate Manager
8 March 2021