Good governance and active citizenry now vital to neighbourhoods and property markets

Good governance and active citizenry is part of what makes Cape property such a good store of wealth.

As we have seen over the last few years, good governance in the City has been a major boost for the property market. Following the last local government elections, buyers and investors started streaming to the Cape metro and property values rose notably.

The outcome of this year's elections with the DA retaining the Cape metro is excellent news for the property market. Under the new mayor, the Cape metro is looking to reinvigorate service delivery and focus on security and stable electricity which support a strong property market.

Property ownership does not stand in isolation. Your property is located within a particular street, estate or suburb which in turn is part of a town, city or region. This location is the primary demand and value driver of property.

You can have the best house, but if it is in a poorly maintained or unsafe street or area, there will be an impact on the demand for it, and consequently the value. Fortunately for those who live in Cape Town, the city has made it easy to report something if you spot it.

As with many other processes, there is an easy online process to report faults relating to a wide range of issues, from illegal structures to streetlights out of order, waste collection and sewage spills.

Simply visit Cape Town's e-services and follow the prompts to log a quick service call. You will receive a service request number and can track whether it has been actioned or completed.

Serious issues or those which remain unattended can be raised with your local ward councillor. They are the liaison between the local community. They work for everyone in the community regardless of who you voted for.

You can contact the local ward councillor, Katherine Christie on 066 294 3200 or email katepchristie@gmail.com.

Neighbourhood Watch organisations have also become vital to improve safety in local areas. These organisations are registered with the city and work with local law enforcement. Supporting these financially is vital as they are often voluntary.

Contact the Harlyn Neighbourhood Watch on 071 802 2454 to find out how you can contribute.

Other local community initiatives to support are clean-ups and responsible giving and waste disposal and giving. Watch social media and follow the local groups to keep abreast of local happenings and opportunities to participate.

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