Written by Growing up in the 1970s, I remember a time when kids played outside until dark, neighbors chatted over fences, and barbecues brought us together. We built our own toys, got dirty, and grew strong—physically and socially. Today, our community feels fragmented. Neighbors barely know each other, kids are glued to screens, and we’re more divided than ever. The proposed Community Improvement District (CID) claims it will fix this with better security and cleaner streets, but I believe it will only deepen our disconnection. Here’s why our community has degraded, why the CID isn’t the answer, and how we can rebuild the healthy, vibrant Edgemead we once knew—together.
Fifty years ago, life was different. Kids roamed free, scraping knees and building resilience through unstructured play. Our moms might have grumbled about dirty clothes, but they never stopped us from exploring. Neighbors were friends, not strangers, bonding over backyard chats or group outings to local events. Then technology crept in. TVs pulled us indoors, cellphones made visits feel unnecessary, and social media turned relationships into likes and polished profiles. The internet opened the world but splintered our local ties, leaving us with factions—those “for” or “against” every issue, with no middle ground.
The biggest loss? Our kids. Today, they’re raised in “99.9% germ-free” bubbles, playing video games instead of climbing trees. Studies show this lack of outdoor play leads to weaker immunity, poorer motor skills, and higher rates of obesity and anxiety. COVID-19 proved how much we crave physical connection—Zoom couldn’t replace the energy of a real hug or a shared laugh. We’ve become isolated, aggressive, and disconnected, losing the problem-solving spark that once defined us.
The Edgemead CID, pitched as a way to improve safety and cleanliness through extra rates, sounds good on paper. But it’s a top-down fix that misses the root issue: our lack of community spirit. The CID outsources work to external companies, turning residents into passive payers rather than active participants. Recent discussions, including at the August 28, 2025, meeting, show many feel it’s coercive, duplicating services the city should already provide. A shiny park or extra security guard won’t bring kids outside if parents fear scraped knees or neighbors don’t trust each other. It’s a Band-Aid on a broken heart.
We don’t need a CID to save us—we need each other. That’s why I created edgemead-cf.co.za, a platform where we, the residents, shape our future. Unlike scattered Facebook groups where questions get buried, our site offers structured forums (wpForo) to debate ideas, like CID alternatives or ways to get kids playing outside. BuddyPress lets us create profiles, form groups, and share activities, rebuilding neighborly bonds. Our event planner can spark real-world gatherings—think barbecues, park cleanups, or “No-Screen Sundays” to get kids active again. Our lightweight business directory highlights local shops and home-based businesses, like those offering to fund cleanups voluntarily, showing we can solve problems without forced fees.
My vision is a community-led Non-Profit Organization (NPO), not a CID. An NPO would empower us to organize our own safety patrols, cleanups, or playgroups, funded by those who choose to contribute. Imagine parents hosting outdoor workshops, teaching kids to build kites like we did in the ’70s, boosting their health and creativity. This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s about reclaiming the energy we draw from each other, proven vital during COVID’s isolation.
The CID debate has woken us up—let’s use that energy to rebuild Edgemead. Join edgemead-cf.co.za today. Start a forum thread about why you oppose the CID or share ideas for a kids’ playgroup. Post an event for a community cleanup or barbecue. Add your business to our directory to support local solutions. Together, we can bring back the Edgemead where neighbors were friends, kids played till dark, and our community thrived. Let’s make it ours again.