The numerous water-pipe bursts, Eskom issues, parks and road verges not being cut by the City of Cape Town and potholes, which are a big problem in Bothasig, are just a few of the main challenges the newly appointed chair of the Bothasig Residents Association (BRA) said he would like to address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chair Mario Borchards, appointed after the resignation of Dayyaan Ismail, marks his second year in the association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI started as treasurer and afterwards became vice-chair, and on 16 November the BRA committee elected me the chair,\u201d he told TygerBurger<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asked about the BRA and its role, Borchards said it is registered with Subcouncil 3 and serves as Bothasig\u2019s official voice. \u201cIt works collaboratively to ensure efficient municipal administration,\u201d he explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAdditionally, BRA aims to collaborate with other bodies that promote social, recreational, cultural, welfare and other matters with the potential to benefit residents of the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFurthermore, it seeks to stimulate public interest in civic affairs and create a sense of pride in citizenship. Lastly, it aims to advance and safeguard the interests of Bothasig.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Borchards and his family have lived in the area he champions and cares so deeply for for two decades now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am a homeowner in Bothasig for 20 years now, and I feel very attached to the community. It is a good area to live in, but I believe it can be a great one. Social cohesion and community building is very important to me, and these are the areas I would like to enhance as BRA leader.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The small-business owner educated in Business Administration said this is one of the reasons he is so passionate about micro-businesses in the area. In addition to being chair, his other portfolios in BRA are business and education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said the association is involved in a few existing projects, with a few more in the pipeline. \u201cBRA has the school feeding initiative at Bothasig High School, the BRA Breakfast Club. We currently feed 80 to 100 learners a warm breakfast at the school between 07:00 and 08:00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFurthermore, BRA has our social walks on Mondays and Wednesdays at 18:15 starting in front of Bosmansdam High School. The walk is a formal programme to improve the wellness of our residents. It is a 3 km loop through the main roads in Bothasig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn addition, BRA started the BothasigBIZ small-business enabling initiative. This entails a Facebook page dedicated to Bothasig-based micro-businesses. Linked to this we have events to enable these businesses by running markets free of charge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BothasigBIZ Women\u2019s Day event held in August and recently-held Bothasig Library 35th birthday event are two such examples. Upcoming events include the BothasigBiz Bookkeeping for Small Businesses training workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese workshops will teach small-business owners how to do basic bookkeeping. BRA is also undertaking formal research on the challenges micro-businesses in the area face. This will give us a better understanding, so we can implement the right interventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMoreover, BRA has strategically joined the Friends of Bothasig Library to promote it, as we believe it should be the focal point for information in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn addition, BRA will partner with the Department of Social Development to implement some exciting community-based interventions. We are blessed to have our own auxiliary social worker, Joy Titus, who does great work for the local community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When not performing his various roles Borchards enjoys long-distance running, describing it as his passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI run for Edgemead Runners and have completed many marathons and two Comrades Marathons. I am grateful to have a family that supports me. Working in the community is hard work, but very fulfilling.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The numerous water-pipe bursts, Eskom issues, parks and road verges not being cut by the City of Cape Town and potholes, which are a big problem in Bothasig, are just a few of the main challenges the newly appointed chair of the Bothasig Residents 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Community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Projects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spare time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n