Moving from Fixing to Flourising Florida*
- XEDRI NPC
- Jul 17
- 17 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
*Florida Roodepoort, Johannesburg, South Africa (Not Florida USA)
I've lived in this area since 2009. Possibly since, 2010. Spent my primary school and some high school years in Florida, Roodepoort too. Time is relative. Let's say it's definitely longer than 30 years being a Florida resident. Been in this area way too long to watch it turn to such dilapidation. Some parts are still beautiful, but some need alot of TLC.
Below are current issues I have identified since 2019, and as of May 2025.
As told by various "WhatsApp Community group admins":
"It's not your problem to fix, there are designated people who are allocated these projects. Stay in your lane. If you try to fix any of these issues people will take it as you're stepping on their turf."
-Story of my life. My impatience to get things fixed results in upsetting more people. (Let the slow speed of beurocracy forever reign).
After attending a recent community meeting and reviewing the various community issues across numerous community groups, I have decided that it's best to share this information publically. As sharing it within clsoed groups doesn't result in any change or resolving of these problems.
Current areas requiring attention in Florida, Roodepoort (Which keeps getting ignored)
From Lockies street to Library: Field Research Photographic archive
Note: Issues below are directly linked to social issues, which impact and amplify waste management, environmental, health, infrastructure, water and accessibility issues:
Field Research April 2025: Map of specific locations with photography documenting issues & support structures currently in place
TLDR:
If you aren't reading the map, issues identified from community member interviews. (specifically interviews with the people who are homeless). As well as field research and experience living in this area). For more info on support structures available within Florida refer to Our Neighbourhood Research
The safety of our children
Homeless shelters.
(informal direct discussions with the 40+ mom and 21+ year old son who used to sleep by the library. 30+ female who lives in a hjacked house. Teen girl who used to beg near flora. 35+ year old man who used to sleep by the ABSA stairs, until the space was closed off), 40+ male who once made R60k per month who's family has disowned him, 30+ Female who uses a wheelchair who lives in the streets, 59 year old granny who sleeps on the streets waiting until she can receive gov pension (as no one will hire her at her age), who's husband remarried and kicked her out of her home, with a son who's wife doesn't want her in their home either :
Some believe that shelters treat you like a slave (unable to gain underlying beliefs or reasons as to why this perspective persists, as the participant was not happy to discuss anything related to homeless shelters.
Homeless shelters are too full
Homeless shelters are not safe (your items are stolen when sleeping)
Some shelters require a payment of +-R20 per day to provide shelter per night
When harassed by shop owners for sleeping outside shops, their belongings are burnt.
Sometimes beaten or harassed when sleeping outside certain public spaces.
When reporting incidents to the police, no assistance without proof of residence.
Unable to access certain grants - consultants at home affairs are not helpful.
Infrastructure (field research- refer to photography on shared map above).
Multiple infrastructure issues from:
Designated sorting spaces for Recycling are desperately needed (field research- refer to photography on shared map above)
Currently recycling isn't completed effectively.
Majority of waste is sorted in public spaces (corners, under bridges and parks).
The waste is left in these areas or left in the drainage system. Resulting in buring of plastic waste or clogging up of drains. In simple terms air, land and water pollution)
blocked drains
Unsafe bridges - broken stairs.
missing walkways to accommodate wheelchairs, bicycles or prams.
Many open manholes,
broken cement dustbins (limited dustbins for holding waste items)
Train is operational but crossing is unsafe. (field research- refer to photography on shared map)
Pedestrians are not meant to cross via railway tracks. However, as train has not been operational for many years (and aren't aware of it's return), many continue to walk this path.
Many are not using the stairs on the bridge (as they are broken). Danger of people crossing via train tracks. Increased danger if they have mobility, visual or auditory issues. There are no warning signs of oncoming train which accommodates.
Currently the train horn blows a few seconds before it reaches the bridge. But this isn't enough time if you have auditory or mobility issues. (repair of bridge and wheelchair ramp is needed)
Local Library (informal discussions and field research)
Local libary needs alot of TLC. Phone number on google maps doesn't work, unable to phone. You'll need to go to the library and ask any staff members directly for their personal contact details in order to reach them for any enquiries. Until a landline is operational again.
Auditorium is available for use again! Only R62 per day for non-profits. R150 for any other bookings.
Current Google map exterior and interior images contradict the current dilapidated external building. (Signage repair is in progress--can't' wait to see the outcome)
Municipality documentation on prostate cancer from department of health in languages which do not accommodate everyone in the community. It's possible, that all the English and Afrikaans options were taken first, hence why these weren't available.
Pop up installation for community issues is updated on a monthly basis- April: 2025 Drug Awareness, May 2025: Africa Month..etc
One really cool thing in library though is that there is a new section for visually impaired readers in progress. This is really awesome. I haven't observed anyone test it yet, but very nice that it will exist. --However, this facillity isn't fully functional, as the library requires members to request access, once requests are received, then the staff by the library will set this up properly. If you're interested in accessing the Braille library or know someone who does, please leave your comments below, so the Library can see that there is a genuine need in the community for this:
Mini Library- Free Braile and Audio Book Service - South African Library for the Blind-- currently not operational. Awaiting feedback from main person I have contacted.
Local Pub
4 reports of Incidents of spiked drinks (3 women, 1 male). No memory of the incident or any recollection of faces the next day. Only marks on their bodies from complete blackout.
The above information is from Research conducted by XEDRI, information has been verified.
Views from Community Leaders
Below statements are NOT the views of XEDRI. These are community views on what they believe are more pressing issues to be resolved. Information needs to be verified. Which will be conducted as field research and direct interviews with groups mentioned. (Information from April 2025)
Research method: Direct informal discussions, phone calls and in person semi-structured interviews
Drug Abuse - Community Feedback
90% of homeless are there as a result of addiction
Most come to Florida because they believe the drugs have a better quality, but end up homeless
Others come to Florida seeking employment, end up homeless
Danger zones - Community Feedback
Near Shoprite bridge, there are containers in front of the taxi rank that was intended for local vendors who sell fruit etc on the pavements near Plaza Rd, Florida. However, the intended use was never made known to the community, and there wasn't any structured programme to get everyone on board, so that the vendors could store their goods by containers instead of struggling daily to set up and pack up daily. Due to no ownership of these containers, it has now become a place for the people who are rejected by shelters due to not being "clean" on arrival. (Substance abuse challenges, and are struggling to live a drug free life).
According to some, 3 girls have died in the last 2 years in Florida. As soon as police hear "homeless, or drugs", they opt to eliminate support or any investigation and list cause of death to be based on their lifestyle. Leaving many girls at risk as they aren't helped or supported when they report cases or rape or abuse. (As they get no justice, this leaves a sense of distrust of many institutions from Police to Shelters as people aren't treated equally, hence the refusal to trust the support structures currently in place, such as shelters)
Homeless shelters - Community Feedback
8/94 homeless people accepted assistance. More than 94 homeless people are sleeping on the streets. When ICE or Afriforum or SAPS or CPF go out to patrol, then homeless move to avoid them. Many do not want to stay in the homeless shelters or rehabs because "they don’t want to follow the rules". Not because there are fees to be paid or security issues. (according to some community members)
Most homeless are over 30.
Teens don’t want assistance.
Karabo at the shelter (1 Dan street) (part of social development)- can help with accessing the shelter, get assistance to be admitted to rehab if needed. Arrive before 14:00 while social worker is there, to be assessed and if a bed is available you'll have the time to get back on your feet. Max 6 months. (Currently this is a men's only shelter), but the toilet facilities are available for both men and women). Mornings around 9am, any leftover food from the men's shelter is available to anyone in need, irrespective of age, gender or challenges they're currently facing. Learning programmes are also available, some include 3- month stipends as well. There are also facilitators such as Duane, who provides groups sessions that focus on various life skill topics. (I will get the list of the exact topics covered to support the transition from roofless to homeless.. don't have this yet).
Feeding schemes - Community Feedback
Soup kitchens enable or pepetuate poverty--it just creates dependency.
We have too many feeding schemes. Call for community meetings was attempted but failed. Suggesting to combine all 5 feeding schemes and feed from one premises. With other community members to monitor who receives food and who doesn't. But most feeding schemes prefer running from their own space and declined uniting as one. Lack of oversight regarding how funds are used.
Rail, Kantoor, Goldman (fabric link)--5 feeding schemes– whoever goes to one, sometimes goes to all. This results in not all people receiving food.
The feeding scheme facilitators don’t want to get on board. No oversight–if you donate R1000, there are no receipts.. No one monitor what goes on.
Even the people by the robots–why don't we give them a food voucher– at Dan street voucher–eg. Can I get 10 tickets–meal vouchers.. Then I go to those shelters to get a plate of food– because then they don’t have their money to do their drugs.
Giving them money– you just enable their addiction.
Dan street– pikitup bags– I give those bags to them–they’re begging.. If they can walk and–for every 2 bags you drop of at dorcas aid you get vouchers maybe?
If the person has mobility issues, they could go to social worker. Then be placed into frail care. But we’ll never know until we start the process
By bohdania, there are people (And most of Hull street at night)
90% have addiction (XEDRI needs to verify this)
10% just don’t have a place to sleep–so aren’t earning enough–those are the ones we are trying to get to the shelter…eg. It’s lice.. It’s dirty there...it's not safe. Always excuses.
Mostly SA people on the street (very little foreigners on the street)
5th ave mostly people from Nigeria–they look after each other so none of the displaced on the street are from Nigeria.
Most on the street are from: Alberton, Cape Town, KZN. They end up in Soweto, then end up in Florida, Maraisburg, (because they come here for the best drugs according to one persons' statement??)
(the above views are all quoted from one of the community leads. They do not reflect the research we have conducted as XEDRI).
Air, Land, Water Pollution - Community Health Risk
Regarding the littered spaces from lack of sorting areas for recylclers:
City parks: when they come they only cut–but they don’t clean up the mess–they cut around the mess. We have to organise our own clean ups.
The church: used to have the clean ups– (eg. by madeline street–unsure why this still occurs)
9th Ave bridge: Used to maintain 9th ave bridge.. But now it’s totally overgrown– We can add this area to cleanups.
Pikitup: is one of the most helpful, because when they do the clean ups, – they usually do it if it’s 20 -50 bags. They supply bags.
Peter Paper: used to have recycling bins by the churches. It wasn’t feasible for them to continue. The only one is by Hillfox. With a vending machine for recycling. You have to maintain it, don’t know if you can. In Sandton, BP garage, you take your plastic bottles, they weigh and pay you. Perhaps there's an option for this in Florida?
City Parks is investing R1.4million in fixing the tennis courts by Florida Lake. This project is set to take place over a period of 3 weeks. Community members do not think this is ideal when security hasn't been accounted for. As it is most likely that the fences repaired will be stolen with less than a month after project completion. Community is also despondent as they were informed of the project instead of being consulted about what is priority within the area. (verified)
Sparrow Village (Mistreatment of elderly owner) -- I have not verified this information yet
Sparrow village– was hijacked. Corine was owner. She has dementia. People are dying here, we need an alternative.. – over 300 people staying there—only 5 have HIV or Aids.
Other members have reported that Corrine is transgender, and community just wanted to make her seem unable to care for facility in order to hijack the building from her.
2014 government stopped supporting Sparrow, because they weren’t renting places out, they started a creche without proper caregivers.
18-21 moms and kids should’ve been helped.. (but no one has helped them. Refer to Roodepoort Rekord– 19 kids running around- prostitution, drug selling, child trafficking. Possible?? –that place needs to be given back to the city. The owner was mistreated by residents. (Since mistreatment and dimentia–a family member removed her). Corine used to give her bank card to the residents to get food. Instead they'd misuse the card to get alcohol etc. There are problems everywhere. Each area has it’s own unique issues.
Other examples - issues in other areas (similar to Florida issues)
Windsor (cresta)-- you can’t walk around after 20:00. SAPS can’t go there with just 1 van, minimum 2 vans are required.
Community levels (Current chain of command)
Street level: Florida South Residents Association –street level
Block level: Florida block watch – street groups and areas (eg. goldman- ontdekkers)
Section level (eg. Rail street to Goldman)
Issue level: ICE (Security level); Florida Community issues (Other non-security issues)
COJ : only related to Florida South Residents Association area.
Rodney is more responsive than the other community leads (This I have verified. There are also 2 other community admins from ICE who are always helpful: Ismail and Natalie)
Issue: no one does Goldman - Rail street—(no one looks after this space) - This statement is accurate, you can review recent photos in map archive above).
Each group doesn’t want one larger group. They each want to work on a specific area and only focus on that one thing. eg. From feeding schemes, ward councillor, community members, whatsapp group admins, florida community issues, ICE, each is a separate with specific objectives.
Info above, as stated from interviews from residents and local leaders. (NOT THE VIEWS OF XEDRI)
June / Aug Research Method Survey: StakeholderInterviews_Roodepoort_Community Residents Responses (Digital People--- From Community WhatsApp Groups):
What is your role in the community?
Community Roles: Responses included specific roles such as Karate instructor, Advisor on legal matters, sewing teacher, artist, Assistant Manager, and Community Patroller.
General Membership/Residency: Several respondents identified themselves as a Member, Resident, Resident for many years, Citizen, or Member/Resident.
Personal Roles: One respondent mentioned being a "Dad."
No Specific Role: One response indicated "Don't have a role."
Community Leaders current work situation
Working full time (4 responses)
Employed elsewhere (I have a different day job) (2 Responses)
Self Employed (2 Responses)
Each work situation below was mentioned once.
Volunteer full time
Part-time
Unemployed
Part time consultant
Currently studying
Which industries are you currently working in?
Logistics (2 responses)
Sports (2 responses)
ICT (2 responses)
Each industry below was mentioned once:
Business & Support
Health & Fitness
Agriculture and woodworking
Music & Photography
Broadcast
Aviation
Bakery
What are the correct issues to refer to you? eg. What do you focus on in the community? eg. Security, Maintenance, Resident etc?
Safety and Security: Many respondents focus on safety and security concerns within the community.
Maintenance: Several responses indicate a focus on maintenance issues.
Community Welfare: Child care/welfare and community-based issues were also mentioned.
Service Delivery: Service delivery was identified as an area of focus.
Specific Skills/Areas: Sewing and design, and unemployment were also mentioned as specific areas of focus.
What do you think the biggest issues are in our community Florida? (List collected from various opinions within the area- not all statements have been verified)
Top 10 Biggest issues in Florida Community based on most frequently mentioned
The community members identified various issues in Florida, South Africa, with the most frequently mentioned problems being:
Drugs- Addiction (11 mentions)
Lack of safety - fear of being hurt (10 mentions)
The safety of our children (10 mentions)
Street lights (9 mentions)
Burglaries (9 mentions)
Drugs - selling (9 mentions)
Poverty (8 mentions)
Unemployment- Lack of decent work (7 mentions)
Unemployment (7 mentions)
Illegal mining (crime) (7 mentions)
Infrastructure--eg. potholes (7 mentions)
delapidation - lack of maintenance etc (7 mentions)
Other significant issues include:
Environmental concerns (air, water, land pollution)
Cost of municipal services
Corruption
Roads
Homelessness - displaced people
Accessibility issues (walkways not accessible for wheelchairs, prams, or bicycles)
Sustainable management of water and sanitation
Muggings
Less frequently mentioned issues include:
Inequality
Public schools
Hunger- food security
Illegal mining (health risks)
Recycling waste
Billing for municipal services
Hijacking
Affordable and clean energy
Sewerage service
Gender inequality (women and girls)
Quality of Education
Rubbish removal
Lack of transparency (Municipality, Non-profit organisations, Food schemes)
Lack of access to healthcare services
Injustice
Prostitution
Public transport accessibility
Biodiversity loss
Climate change
Misinformation/fake news
Irresponsible consumption and production
Service delivery from the Municipality and by law enforcement
Respondents, personal direct opinions:
Safety concerns: The biggest issues identified were safety and burglaries.
Infrastructure issues: This included concerns about road maintenance and potholes.
Political representation: There was a perceived lack of visibility and effort from ward councillors.
Environmental and social issues: A dirty lake, father and motherless children, and unemployment were also mentioned.
No specific issue: Some respondents indicated 'N/A' or 'None'.
Respondents assumptions of what majority thinks:
Safety and Crime: Many people believe that crime and safety in general are major problems, with drugs and heroin use specifically mentioned as issues.
Lack of Maintenance: Lack of municipal oversight, litter, unmaintained roads and street lights, and potholes are significant concerns.
Socio-economic Issues: Poverty and unemployment are also identified as major problems.
Why do you say this?
Comparison of what people believer personally, vs what they assume the majority believe
Respondents, personal direct opinions:
Safety concerns: Children are targeted for their belongings, and there are issues with illegal miners.
Infrastructure decay: Potholes are filled but not permanently fixed, and there's a general state of decay in infrastructure, including pollution, waste, and sewage problems.
Socio-economic challenges: There are concerns about parents not being present for their children and people lacking money.
Lack of action from local authorities: The ward councillor is perceived as inactive except for specific issues, and there's a poor response to logged calls regarding infrastructure.
Respondents assumptions of what majority thinks:
Safety concerns: High levels of burglaries, shootouts between SAPS and illegal miners, drug abuse leading to visible drug paraphernalia, and general safety issues are prevalent.
Infrastructure and environment issues: The roads are in terrible condition with many potholes, streets are filled with litter, and many streetlights are not working.
Socio-economic factors: Poverty is rife, leading to high unemployment, an increase in beggars, and unhoused people.
Shared experiences: Many residents have similar experiences and are affected by these issues within the community, despite a community trying its best without support.
Community group discussions: Many of the above issues are also frequently mentioned in community groups.
Why do you say this?
Comparison of respondents personal against respondents assumptions of what the majority believes:
Respondents, personal direct opinions:
Various reasons provided by community members for the issues they identified. Each reason was mentioned once.
Our ward counciller does sweet FA except when there's a dead substation. Nothing for roads, no arranged protests, nothing.
Potholes get filled but not permanently fixed.
Children cannot walk around without being targeted for their belongings.
Too many of these issues mentioned on the community groups on a daily basis.
Illegal miners.
N/a.
Pollution waste sewage.
Parents aren't there for their children.
None.
People have no money.
General state of decay of infrastructure, poor response to call being logged.
Respondents assumptions of what majority thinks:
Various perceived community issues.The summary of the responses is as follows:
Crime (2 mentions)
Poverty, crime and lack of municipal oversight (1 mention)
Crime. Maintenance. Robots not working. (1 mention)
Litter and no maintenance to roads and street lights. Potholes are a huge issue. (1 mention)
Safety (1 mention)
Safety in general (1 mention)
Drugs (2 mentions)
Pollution and heroin users (1 mention)
Drugs, Poverty (1 mention)
Unemployment (1 mention)
They will likely agree with what I listed (1 mention)
What do you believe is the solution to resolve the problems in our community?
Various proposed solutions to community problems, with each solution being mentioned once.The solutions identified are:
Stronger sense of community: Emphasizing collective responsibility for children, looking out for neighbors, and holding authorities accountable.
Better government.
Efficient maintenance: Including roads, lights, and effective clean-ups, along with addressing drug dealers.
Addressing unemployment and the issue of criminals not being from the local area.
More visible and active policing.
Greater police presence and police being more inclined to assist residents.
Rethinking humanity.
Education, funding, and well-managed projects.
Free medication for drug addiction and clean needles.
Skill development and parental involvement in teaching children and adults.
Better policing and addressing illegal immigration.
Active participation of all stakeholders.
Service-centered service delivery by the municipality and active citizenry.
How would you rate how important these issues is to be resolved? (1 being not important, 10 being urgent)
What is the urgency of resolving this issue?
If you could change anything about your area, what would you love see changed?
Various reasons provided by community members for the change they would love to see. Each reason was mentioned once.
More people walking around and enjoying the parks and trees, kids feeling safe enough to play in the parks, more cute shops within walking distance
More development to improve the old area
Safer parks and roads. No potholes
Safety in our streets
The municipality to look after the common areas in the community
More secure play/open spaces that we could relax in. A walking/hiking/cycling route around the Fleurhof Dam, that is safe and secure
More police visibility
Income
Poverty and fathers to their children..
Get community actively involved in safeguarding our area
Less poverty
Everything
Do you require any community support- eg. Assitive care, paliative care, shelter, soup kitchens, assistance seeking employment, braille computers, counselling or advice from social workers or other professionals?
All responded "Not applicable or none"
Do you have any questions for me?
Is there any way we can vote for no confidence in our ward councillers?
What is your current confidence in our local leaders having the community best interests at heart and being able to solve the issues at hand? (1 being no confidence and 10 being fully confident)
The above is initial research conducted Winter 2025 from WhatsApp Group communities, local community leaders all the residents with access to homes, electrictiy, internet and technology (ie. phones)
After these conversations, I became a bit despondent, and needd to switch gears a bit. Luckily, we were supported by Lionel Cohen, from Florida Thrifty Shop "Thrifty's". He allowed me the space to play, and experiment on an idea I had to support his store (the heart of the community, thrift store and soup kitchen). Their current business model is unique in that it accepts donated products such as furniture and clothes (all are in really good condition by the way)... which the community can purchase at a very reasonable rate.
While still accommodating members of community who cannot afford to pay, by giving them items they need for free. June, they had many broken wooden furniture donations, which weren't getting sold. This sparked the idea of refurbishing and restoring the broken items, in order for them to be suitable for resale. And so began this experiment: Furniture Upcycle Project
Which then moved toward the Fabric Upcycle Project supported and facilitated by Janine Tarr from Silver Empress. (Link coming soon)
To review the comparison of community opinions assumptions and the lived experience and reality of our community (especially the members of the community who do not have access to homes, electricity, internet or technology (ie. do not own a phone) refer to the follow up article: "The Flourishing Florida Project". (To be published soon before the end of Sep 2025)
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