The two-minute version
Dear Residents,
June and July have been particularly busy months for the CRA and its volunteers. We are now well into winter, with spring just around the corner. Here is a concise update on some of the practical work taking place across our neighbourhood and behind the scenes.
Would you like the full story? Read the complete newsletter here: https://cra.org.za/june-july-2026-newsletter/
New benches at the Blue Bridge
Residents and visitors may have noticed the new benches and professionally constructed platforms near the Blue Bridge.
This was a CRA-led initiative made possible through sponsorship from Fine & Country The Parks and Dry Dock Liquor together with the generosity of other benefactors, some of whom have chosen to remain anonymous.
The benches were installed in memory of Martin Williams and in recognition of the beautiful natural environment in which we live.
CRA volunteers first had to work through Johannesburg City Parks’ approval processes. A professional builder then constructed stable and durable platforms beneath the benches so that they remain safe and usable for many years.
Friends of Delta: practical action since 2023
Friends of Delta was founded in spring 2023 by residents committed to restoring, protecting and improving Delta Park.
It is a collaborative initiative involving the CRA, residents, donors and partners including Bubele Africa, Jozi Trails and committed residents such as Shirley Tebutt.
Friends of Delta now operates under the CRA, with all donations and expenditure ring-fenced specifically for Delta Park.
Since 2023, the initiative and its partners have:
- helped establish a regular private security presence;
- removed at least 15 four-ton truckloads of waste;
- supported vegetation clearing, trail maintenance and urgent repairs;
- discouraged unlawful structures and encampments; and
- helped restore and protect the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary.
The various Delta Park WhatsApp groups have also been consolidated into an open Friends of Delta WhatsApp community, which now has more than 200 participants from within and beyond the CRA area.
Click here to join the Friends of Delta WhatsApp community
Residents and park users can support Friends of Delta from R50 per month—or choose their own contribution amount.
Support Friends of Delta: https://cra.org.za/friends-of-delta/
Bird sanctuary fence repaired within 48 hours
A significant breach recently developed in the fence surrounding the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary, allowing unlawful activity to begin taking place inside.
The CRA mobilised within approximately 48 hours, appointed a contractor and arranged professional repairs at a cost of around R13,000.
This rapid intervention, together with Friends of Delta, the Delta operations team and the CRA’s wider security initiatives, is helping ensure that the sanctuary and park are not allowed to slide back into disorder.
Refreshed cooperation with Parkview CPF, SAPS and the City
During June and July, CRA committee members worked hard to refresh and re-establish a meaningful relationship with Parkview CPF.
This led to a successful joint operation involving CRA representatives, Friends of Delta, residents from Craighall Park and Blairgowrie, Parkview CPF and SAPS.
The operation focused on the Rattray weir and unlawful activity and occupation behind Delta Café.
Together with the CRA’s other escalation initiatives, this contributed to a further City operation involving CRUM during the second week of July.
Residents who would like to learn more about Parkview CPF or volunteer in relation to community safety operations can contact admin@cra.org.za.
Click here to follow the Parkview CPF WhatsApp Channel
Learning and contributing beyond our neighbourhood
CRA representatives attended the annual general meetings of the Greenside Residents Association and the Parkview Residents Association to exchange ideas and learn from neighbouring organisations facing similar challenges.
The CRA is also a founding affiliate of JoburgCAN.
During the final week of July, the CRA presented at a JoburgCAN civil-society engagement on town-planning matters and shared practical insights with other residents’ associations and civic organisations.
These relationships help us exchange workable ideas, access broader expertise and strengthen civic action across Johannesburg.
Professionalising the CRA
The CRA is also making important progress behind the scenes.
Building on the work of our previous chairperson, the current committee has brought the CRA’s financial records fully up to date. The outstanding audited financial statements have been prepared, and the organisation’s tax returns are current.
This provides the foundation for the CRA’s intended registration as a public benefit organisation and its longer-term Section 18A pathway.
Other improvements include:
- an improved website;
- updated POPIA-aligned privacy principles and policies;
- stronger management of residents’ information;
- improved governance and reporting; and
- more structured membership, payment and communication systems.
Visit the CRA website: https://cra.org.za/
We would love you to join us
The CRA serves approximately 3,000 households, but currently has only around 400 paying subscribers.
A relatively small group of residents, businesses and volunteers is therefore funding and supporting work that benefits the wider community. That cannot continue indefinitely.
CRA volunteers contribute substantial personal time, professional expertise and practical assistance without payment. The projects and interventions described above also require reliable financial support.
We strongly encourage every household that benefits from the CRA’s work to become a member and contribute.
The CRA offers several membership and contribution options. It is also migrating from PayFast to the more effective and efficient Paystack system.
View the membership options or move to Paystack: https://cra.org.za/join/
If you are not yet convinced by what the CRA does, please contact us. Any committee member will gladly take you through the work underway and the value being delivered to the community.
We would also love to hear your ideas for projects or community initiatives.
Contact the CRA: admin@cra.org.za
Read the complete June and July newsletter: https://cra.org.za/june-july-2026-newsletter/
Warm regards,
The CRA Committee