Our Ward Matters

Tuesday, 4 August – Our Ward Matters in Action
Yesterday, the Our Ward Matters team continued our clean-up efforts next to Libertas Complex in Kwartel Crescent. This open veld stretches through to Ibis Avenue, and our focus was to restore this beautiful natural area.

Our team spent the day picking up rubbish, cutting back overgrown grass to improve visibility and safety, and cleaning the open veld opposite the area, as well as along Arend Avenue.
This is a beautiful part of our community, with large mature trees and open spaces that should be protected and enjoyed by residents. Unfortunately, we found evidence of serious illegal dumping, and in the past we have also found people living in these overgrown areas.
Illegal dumping destroys our environment, attracts rats, insects, and other pests, creates health hazards, and turns beautiful open spaces into unsafe areas. Residents should also be aware that fines can be issued for illegal dumping.

During our clean-up, we also noticed that part of the remaining veld had been burnt, further damaging the natural environment.

We appeal to every resident: please help us protect these open spaces. Do not dump rubbish or garden refuse. Together, we can preserve these areas for future generations and create a cleaner, safer community for everyone.

Our Ward Matters will continue doing its part, but we need the support of the community. Please consider donating towards petrol, brushcutter line, oil, maintenance, equipment, or heavy-duty refuse bags so that we can continue making a visible difference throughout our wards.
Together, we can protect our environment, restore community pride, and build a cleaner and safer Rustenburg.


Ilse du Preez (OWM)
Cllr André van Dyk
Cllr Tanya Rothman & RLM Waste Department

Monday, 3 August – Our Ward Matters in Action

The Our Ward Matters team started the week by cleaning from the Lilac Substation, past Fiddlewood Place and Cycad Avenue, towards the open veld at the corner of Cycad Avenue and Santolina Street, leading to Watsonia Road.

This is an area where our team regularly cuts the grass and maintains the open spaces to keep them neat, safe, and welcoming for residents. Unfortunately, while working in the veld, we once again discovered serious illegal dumping, which our team immediately began removing.
One of the saddest discoveries was finding a deceased dog inside a plastic bag. Sadly, this is not the first time that Our Ward Matters has found a dead dog dumped in an open veld in Ward 16.

Our pets are loyal companions and part of our families. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, even after they have passed away. Dumping animals in open spaces is not only heartbreaking, but it also pollutes the environment, creates health risks, and shows a lack of respect for our community and nature.

We appeal to every resident: please do not use our open spaces as dumping grounds for household waste, garden refuse, building rubble, or animals. Let us work together to keep Ward 16 clean, safe, and a place we can all be proud of.

Our Ward Matters will continue doing its part, but we need the support of the community to make a lasting difference.
If you would like to support our clean-up efforts, please consider making a donation. When donating, kindly use your street name, address, or indicate what you are donating towards as your reference. Your support helps us cover petrol, brushcutter maintenance, equipment, and other essential costs so that we can continue serving our community.

Together, we can protect our environment and build a cleaner, safer future for everyone.
Cllr André van Dyk (OWM)
Ilse du Preez (OWM)
With Cllr Tanya Rothman
RLM Waste Department

30 & 31 July – Our Ward Matters in Action
Over the past two days, Our Ward Matters, together with Cllr Tanya Rothman, continued our mission of creating cleaner and safer communities by focusing on the area around the pump station in Cashan 33, working towards Krokodilrivier.

This project involved extensive debushing and clearing of overgrown vegetation to improve visibility, reduce the risk of veld fires, and ensure that the area remains accessible for both residents and municipal maintenance teams.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Rustenburg Local Municipality Waste Department for once again taking hands with us by delivering a skip. Their support allowed us to remove branches and green waste efficiently, making a significant difference to the progress of this clean-up.
Projects like these are about much more than cutting grass. They help restore pride in our neighbourhoods, discourage illegal dumping, improve safety for residents, and protect important municipal infrastructure such as the pump station.
As Our Ward Matters continues to grow, so does our commitment to serving the people of Rustenburg. Every clean-up is another step towards a community that is cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for everyone.

A heartfelt thank you to Cllr Tanya Rothman, our dedicated team members, the Rustenburg Local Municipality Waste Department, and every resident, business, church, and sponsor who continues to support our work. Your encouragement and contributions make these projects possible.

If you would like to help us continue making a visible difference, please consider supporting Our Ward Matters by donating towards petrol, brushcutter line, oil, equipment maintenance, or heavy-duty refuse bags. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us keep our team on the ground

Ilse du Preez
Cllr Tanya Rothman
Cllr Andre van Dyk

Our Ward Matters Blessed by the Care Centre ❤️

Our Ward Matters team was truly blessed by the generosity of the Care Centre.
We approached them to ask if they could assist our team members with food hampers, and without hesitation they opened their hearts and blessed our team.

Our team members work incredibly hard, week after week, serving the people of Rustenburg. They spend countless hours cleaning our communities.Receiving this kindness means more than words can express.
Many of our team members face daily challenges, including transport costs and, at times, not having enough food. Yet they continue to show up with a servant's heart, determined to make Rustenburg a cleaner, safer, and better place for everyone.
Today was a reminder that when a community takes hands, we can also care for those who care for others.

To everyone at the Care Centre, thank you for your compassion, generosity, and support. We pray that God will continue to bless your work and provide abundantly so that you can continue touching the lives of those in need.
Your kindness has encouraged our team and reminded us that we are not alone in this journey.
Care Centre, we sincerely appreciate you. May God richly bless you.

Kind regards
Cllr Andre van Dyk
Ilse du Preez
Founder & Director
Our Ward Matters
Cllr Tanya Rothman

One bag at a time, one street at a time.
Our Ward Matters is now a Registered PBO.

Wednesday, 29 July – Our Ward Matters in Action

On Wednesday, Our Ward Matters returned to the open veld between Kwartel Crescent and Loerie Street, next to the Santa Anna and Santa Maria complexes.

Our goal is to completely open up this area and transform it into a space that residents can enjoy. The section we have already completed is beginning to look like a beautiful park, with open spaces and mature trees creating a welcoming environment where residents can walk their dogs, exercise, and enjoy nature.

Unfortunately, we discovered serious illegal dumping in the area. Our team spent the day debushing, clearing overgrown vegetation with brushcutters, and removing rubbish that does not belong in this natural space.

We also opened a blocked stormwater drain and removed grass and debris from the road, improving both the appearance and drainage of the area.
Projects like this take time, dedication, equipment, and resources, but the visible difference makes every effort worthwhile. What was once an overgrown and neglected space is slowly being transformed into an area the community can be proud of.

With continued support from residents, businesses, churches, and sponsors, we can accomplish even more. Every donation towards petrol, brushcutter line, maintenance, equipment, and heavy-duty refuse bags helps us continue making a lasting impact in our community.

Together, we are not just cleaning open spaces we are creating safer, cleaner, and more beautiful environments for current and future generations.

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

Monday – Ward 15 Community Clean-Up

On Monday, we started working in the open veld in Kwartel Crescent, between the Santa Anna and Santa Maria complexes, leading towards Loerie.

Our team began debushing the area, cutting the overgrown veld with brushcutters, and removing litter. We collected an incredible 20 refuse bags of rubbish from the area.

We will return to continue the work, but we need the support of the complexes and residents to help cover the costs of these clean-up efforts. Keeping these areas maintained requires fuel, equipment, refuse bags, and ongoing work.

Open and neglected velds can create serious challenges, including veld fires, illegal dumping, and illegal squatting. Overgrown areas can also reduce visibility and create opportunities for criminal activity, putting residents and properties at greater risk.

A clean and well-maintained environment improves visibility, safety, and pride in our community.
A clean area is a safer area.
A safe area is a stronger community.

Let's take hands and work together to make Ward 15 a place we are proud to call home.

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

📢 *Exciting News for OUR WARD MATTERS!* 💭

We are proud to announce that Our Ward Matters (OWM) is now a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) and a Section 18A Organisation.

This means that eligible donations to OWM may qualify for tax benefits while helping us continue to improve and uplift our communities.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our journey. Together, we can make an even bigger difference in the Wards.

Let's work together to build stronger, cleaner, and safer communities! 💙💛

Our Ward Matters Director
Ilse du Preez
Cllr Tanya Rothman
Cllr André van Dyk

Please contact Ilse du Preez for more information

A Heartfelt Thank You to Tannie Babsie Frey

I had the privilege of meeting with Pastor Jackie Gouws, who contacted me regarding a very special donation to Our Ward Matters.
We would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to Tannie Babsie Frey for generously donating a brushcutter towards the work we do in Rustenburg.

Your kindness and generosity mean more than words can express. This donation is not simply a piece of equipment it is a tool that will help us reach more areas, clear more overgrown spaces, improve visibility, help prevent veld fires, and continue creating cleaner and safer communities.
With this brushcutter, we can get more work done and continue making a visible difference in the communities we serve.

Tannie Babsie, may God richly bless you for your generous heart and for believing in the work of Our Ward Matters. May your kindness return to you many times over, and may this donation continue to bless our community for years to come.

A special thank you also to Pastor Jackie Gouws for helping make this connection possible. It is through people taking hands and believing in one another that we can achieve so much more.
From all of us at Our Ward Matters, thank you for standing with us and helping us continue our mission.

Kind regards