Happy Tuesday Melville! We're on a 21-week streak with issue 36. Fun fact: did you know we're not the first-ever Melville newsletter? Who remembers Melville News?

In today’s newsletter,

• Last Night's MRA Meeting: A Turning Point 🤲

• Good News on Water Problems ⛲️

• The Mail & Guardian Article: A Wake-Up Call 🗣

Let’s go. 

— Aubrey Moloto, Kele Jackson

The Digest

Last Night's MRA Meeting: A Turning Point 🤲

From the end of 2024, a rift between the Melville Residents Association and Melville Business Association has been growing. Residents have been vocal about bad businesses infringing on their environmental rights, trading illegally, and disturbing the peace.

The Background

There have been plenty of meetings where residents came to voice concerns and lodge complaints with the MRA. In response, the MRA has tried to engage bad businesses and object to applications. They even invited the police, Liquor Board, and Department of Environmental Affairs to meetings. Meanwhile, MBA representatives remained absent.

This meant the MBA didn't understand the severity of issues experienced by residents. They were unable to act or respond. Residents started questioning their purpose and authority as the cracks between residents and businesses deepened.

The Breakthrough

Since the last MRA meeting, heated discussions have been held between the two entities. Residents called for the MBA committee to show up and hear their cries. Finally, at last night's meeting, the MBA pitched up.

In a much shorter than usual MRA meeting, residents finally met the MBA committee. They each introduced themselves as fellow residents and business owners too. They then informed residents that as a newly reformed entity with no businesses as members – only contributors – it's hard for them to hold bad actors accountable.

MBA's Mission Explained

The MBA explained they were recreated after the pandemic when Melville business nodes were in dire straits. Phone snatchings and petty crimes were rife. They formed the MBA to:

• Open a joint bank account for businesses on the strip to contribute

• Combat the crime narrative

• Forge lines of communication

These communication lines have proved fruitful in organising initiatives, and events like The Happening, and engaging the municipality on service delivery issues.

Success Stories

One major initiative we reported on in issue #29 was forming the CPF patrollers. Huge strides against crime on the strip were made. The stats show incidents have fallen dramatically since 2021-2023.

They often use these newly opened channels to engage and challenge businesses. Some respond promptly, others not at all. For example, the recent state of the street in the mornings after club events. Clubs were confronted about litter left by their patrons and responded swiftly. The offending businesses had the street outside their establishments cleaned after closing. The strip is much cleaner in the mornings now, and the day traders are happy.

The MBA themselves find it hard to engage problem businesses and landlords but still constantly look for ways to do so effectively.

Moving Forward Together

Residents quizzed the MBA on how they operate, the power they hold, and what actions they're able to take. Other business owners not trading on the strip suggested that if the MBA wasn't so focused on 4th and 7th but did more to include all Melville businesses, they could get more contributions. This would mean more cohesion and better security – a suggestion the MBA seemed open to.

Moving forward, the MBA are happy to attend more MRA meetings, be included in discussions, and address resident concerns. Differences between the two bodies seem fixed. They're now talking about combined efforts to address neighbourhood problems, including bad businesses, illegal trading, municipal issues, and new community initiatives.

Potential Merger Discussion

Another point discussed was how the two associations can join, referencing Parkhurst's Residents & Business Association. Both parties seemed open to finding the right ways to do so. The MBA committee members feel it's easier said than done. The right steps would need to be taken and a vote cast.

Some attendees worried it might be a conflict of interest. The MRA protects residents' best interests, including objections against bad businesses. If these businesses were part of the MRA's decision-making processes, the MRA may not be as effective in its primary promise.

Other Notable Topics

Among the usual things discussed were:

• A joint response to the Mail & Guardian article

• How to engage building owners cohesively and hold them accountable for their residents' misdemeanours

• The Happening festival on 25th October

The Verdict

It's hard to label this as a huge success, but it was a much-needed moment for the suburb. This invigoration in the MRA and MBA relationship has the potential to be a foundational step towards a united front in the fight against Melville's challenges. The article in the Mail & Guardian last week was a rude awakening for the body’s, residents, and businesses. Swift, decisive, and collective action must be taken.

If you enjoyed today’s digest article, why not buy us a coffee?

What’s Happenin’ 🤔

Lots to do as we gently tread into winter's coldest months. Here's what's on.

Check out the events calendar for regular events - The Melville Pulse Events Calendar 

Melville Weather For The Week 🧣

Icy nights but warm days. We're loving winter this year!

Wednesday 

21° 🌡️6°  | ☀️ |  🌧️ 0% | SSW 6 km/h 💨

Thursday  

17° 🌡️ 4° | 🌤️ | 🌧️ 4% | ENE 15 km/h 💨

Friday 

19° 🌡️ 5° | ☀️ | 🌧️ 2% | ESE 9 km/h 💨

Saturday 

19° 🌡️ 6° | ☀️ |  🌧️ 1% | NE 9 km/h 💨

Sunday

20° 🌡️ 6° | ☀️ | 🌧️ 1% | N 15 km/h 💨

Monday 

13° 🌡️ 0° | 🌤️ |  🌧️ 25% | N 9 km/h 💨

Tuesday 

8° 🌡️ -2° | 🌤️ |  🌧️ 1% | SWS 9 km/h 💨

Live & Music Events Lowdown 🎸

Stressful week and need some dance therapy? Here's where to let loose.

05/06 | Thursday | 6 pm | Smoking Kills Bar | Thursgays ft. Skits, Iwewe, Nkly, and Ndewa | R30

06/06 | Friday | 7 pm | Chiesa PAZZO LUPI | Sibongile Gwacela ft. Lungelo Ngcobo, Bongani Mamba and Bucco Bonginkosi Xaba | R200

07/06 | Saturday | 6 pm | Smoking Kills Bar | Something like that ft. Namakau Star | R50

07/06 | Saturday | 7 pm | Chiesa PAZZO LUPI | Nomalanga ft. Xolani Mtshali, Hlulani Sono, Khotso Makhema, Mzo, Fila, Tshepiso Molema, Culture Mofokeng and Lekgowa Komane | R180

08/06 | Sunday | 3 pm - 5 pm | Smoking Kills Bar | Anica Kiana Live ft. Mars Baby by All Call Management | R50

For more updates as the week goes on, visit our instagram page @snapson7th or our new Melville Pulse event calendar

If our weather or comprehensive gig guide came in clutch, consider buying us a coffee. 

Civil Matters 👷‍♀️

Good News On Water Problems

Danny Nunes, Jonathan Thomspon and Councillor Kyle Jacobs did a site visit at the new reservoir construction site in Brixton today. The trio checked in on progress and had great news to report:

1. The new reservoir is currently being tested with no major leaks detected. A few minor leaks have been attended to.

2. The new reservoir is currently being tested with no major leaks detected. A few minor leaks have been attended to.

3. These system upgrades should be online and ready to use by the end of July 2025

The MBA have been engaging City Power for over year relentlessly logging broken street lights on 4th Avenue. After a few failed attempts at repairs the City’s stance is that theres no funds for capital expenditure to do any more fixes there.

To put in to context how effective the city have been in Melville: they launched a “High Impact Service Week” last week across City Parks, City Power and the Johannesburg Road Agency and the JRA only managed to do 3 out of 46 reinstatements.

Melville Takes Matters Into Its Own Hands

Meville doesn’t just wait around. We’re always looking to be proactive. In this vain, the MBA have launched a new exciting initiative to light up 4th Avenue. Melville’s taking matters into her own hands!

The MBA are “launching a community-driven solar lighting project to strategically install solar-powered floodlights across 4th Avenue and surrounding streets.”

The aim is to install lights that are energy independent and Eco-friendly, leading to a “brighter, safer, better Melville.”

They’re calling on residents, local businesses, and friends of Melville to support this initiative through donation, sponsorship, or spreading the word.

You can contribute by:

• Allowing them to strategically place a pole in your yard

• Sponsoring equipment

• Donating money to the cause

BANKING DETAILS

• Account Name: The Melville Business Association

• Bank: First National Bank

• Branch: Campus Square

• Account Type: Gold Business Account-Cheque

• Account No: 63053529659

Market Watch 🎪 

Meet Youngson: The Artisan with Heart

We popped into the Melville Artisanal Market this past Saturday and met a super cool, hardworking young man instilled with strong values: Youngson the clothing designer.

Youngson runs a clothing stall at the market, selling fresh and unique handmade designs by his wife and him. He learnt how to sew from some senior citizens at his church in Parktown North. He had a natural talent from the get-go and built a strong community with the ladies. As they retired, they donated some of their equipment to him.

Living in Melville at the time, Youngson met a girl who worked at 27 Boxes and married her straight away! He taught her how to knit and crochet, and their family business was born.

He started selling at the Melville Artisanal Market over the years and has grown close to its vendors, seeing them as his family. He now lives in Venda with his wife and their two children but makes the trip once a month to Joburg to sell only at the Melville Artisanal Market.

He wants to grow this market and help it reach its full potential. He's an ambitious character bubbling with vibrant energy, creative ideas, and strong values and morals. With a good head on his shoulders, beautifully designed high-quality products, and a strong support system in the market and his family, the future looks bright for this local vendor.

Check out Youngson's stall at the Melville Artisanal Market for some quality, handmade clothes while gearing up this winter! He has stylish jackets, woollen beanies, scarves, cup and teapot covers, and much more!

Koppies Check-In ⛰

Controlled Burns for Ecosystem Health

As Merle Grace prepares to light up the lecture hut this weekend acting out her compelling stories, fires light up Melville Koppies West!

But worry not – it's a good time for controlled firebreaks. The Koppies need to burn to rejuvenate their ecosystem.

The wildfires threatened to get out of control this past weekend, and the fire department had to assist. The Koppies West Fire & Soul maintenance team are talking about using this as a chance to initiate some burns.

They do this by sectioning the Koppies into grids and then systematically burning each grid. This allows wildlife to move to the next square as the team carries out the firebreaks safely.

Art in Melville 🖼

AA Gallerie: "Blue in the Face"

In issue #34, we mentioned that AA Gallerie was having an open call for artists to submit works. They're preparing for a huge opening on 16th June. We're here with some developments!

The mega exhibition on the 16th is called "Blue in the Face" and is a group exhibition happening at the Big Glass House at 27 Boxes. They're describing it as "an urgent, multi-disciplinary exhibition exploring political and socio-political truths through the eyes of emerging and established artists."

They'll also be using this platform to roll out a series of community-focused initiatives in the belief that "art doesn't just reflect the world, it can help rebuild it."

Doesn’t this all sounds so exciting!? You can check the exhibition out on 16th June at the Big Glass House in Joburg Artist Market.

The Melville Mudroom's "Meaning of Home" Exhibition

The Melville Mudroom had an opening on 9th May, serving as both the venue and creative incubator for a groundbreaking exhibition named "Meaning of Home".

Founded by sisters Kate and Nina Shand, the ceramic teaching studio in Melville is establishing itself as more than just a pottery class venue. It's becoming a community hub where art, therapy, and social engagement intersect.

The exhibition opened with a moving ceremony attended by representatives from the University of Johannesburg's Art Therapy programme, the Three2Six Project, and the National Arts Council.

At the heart of this exhibition were the creative expressions of children from the Three2Six project – a bridging education initiative in Joburg serving refugee and migrant children who cannot access state schooling.

The exhibition ran from 9th to 23rd May and was covered in our gig guide. Reply to this email if you went and let us know how it was for you.

Extra Sprinkles ✨ 

The Mail & Guardian Article: A Wake-Up Call

Last week the suburb was shaken up and rattled, sparking heated conversations in Melville chat groups after a very controversial opinion piece in the Mail & Guardian. Written by Wits Professor Imraan Buccus, the piece brought together every single issue we've been discussing and fighting to solve with one swift swing of his pen.

He raised brilliant points, but we must admit it was hard to read them all in once. Fortunately, it also opened our eyes to a few things that were very encouraging:

The Silver Linings

1. Academic Hub: Melville has played an important role in the academic landscape as a resource hub and taste of Mzansi for travelling students (and not just a party place).

2. University Partnership: The university can play a role in helping us restore the neighbourhood as it's in their best interests as well, giving us more power against negative forces that fuel this decline.

3. Municipal Neglect: Melville has been particularly neglected or at least not prioritized by the municipality when repairing and reinstating civil issues. This article can serve as leverage when we appeal to the municipality and to gather support.

We think it also did well to drive enthusiasm and unity amongst Melvillians as people voiced their opinions with an overwhelming consensus to fight this narrative.

People have been brainstorming ideas to engage the city and come up with more ways to improve the state of our hood. There were talks of more clean-ups, holding bad actors accountable, and doing more to restore the neighbourhood's charm.

Thank you! 🙏

Issue 36 and Counting!

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this civil matters-heavy issue of Melville Untold and made it this far, consider buying us a coffee!

After one month with the team, we're sad but proud to see Sihle leave for greener pastures. She'll be joining an advertising company that will be fortunate to have her positivity and enthusiasm. Shout out and good luck, Sihle!

This leaves gaps in the team. We invite you to join us in our mission as volunteers. We're looking for young people eager to acquire skills and knowledge in content creation and media. Love for Melville and a positive attitude are most imperative! Reply to this email if you're interested or share our email address with someone who fits the bill!

That's it for this week's newsletter.

Keep fighting for progress, stay proactive, and proud to be a Melvillian.

Poka! ✌️