THE Northern Areas People Development Initiative (NAPDI) project, Northern Star Scenarios (NSS) was launched in May.
The programme was setup to combat the downward spiral the Northern Areas has found itself in, by envisioning possible scenarios of the situations the Northern Areas may find itself in over the next ten years.
NAPDI is hoping that the programme will mobilise the residents of the Northern Areas to implement change in their areas.
By analysing data samples collected in November and December last years’ four possible scenarios were drawn up. Of the four, three suggest the area will be worse off should we continue at this rate.
The Northern Algoa Sun took to the streets of the Northern Areas to find out whether residents agreed with this sentiment, and find out whether they thought the Northern Areas would be in a better, or worse condition, in ten years time.
We spoke to residents from Korsten through to Arcadia to ensure that the voices of the Northern Areas were heard.
Here is what they had to say.
"The Northern Areas has the potential to be the best in the city. It is just a matter of investing in facilities and approaching the right people. And in 10 years’ time I see us on par, if not above the western areas and Summerstrand.” – Arnold Scheepers, 31, from Korsten
"We will be in a better position in 10 years by investing in sport. Sport is a major source of income for many cities. And I feel we should as a community invest more in sport, then we will move forward. The Northern Areas is filled with tons of talented sports men and women.” – Tariq Solomons, 17 from West End
"There is no progress in the Northern Areas, especially Helenvale.We have gone backwards. Instead of more schools we have more taverns. Instead of more sports teams we have more gangs. The education system is battling. And in ten years’ time I think we will be worse off. I don’t see change, and worst of all I don’t see anybody trying to change.” – Gladys Abrahams, 47, from Helenvale
"We are moving forward, look at all the community projects going on in the Northern Areas. We need to support these projects because however small, they are making a difference. And we need to realise that change starts small. As a community we need to build from these small foundation projects because without the help of the community we will not move forward. And these projects need to be supported by the bigger players like Napdi and companies in the Northern Areas.
"By working together, and being willing to give up our time we will change our situation around. It is our home, why are we not looking after it?” – Calvin Williams, 27, from Cleary Estate
"We are going to be in a better position, but we should not forget why and how we got there. The Northern Areas are filled with heritage and history, which we need to take into account if we want to move forward. We should learn from the past, where we went wrong, in that way we can be assured not to repeat those same mistakes. There are so many old and important buildings we should preserve.” – Sandra Allison, 57, from Windvogel
"In 10 years time we are going to be worse off. The problem lies with our education system. Teachers do the bare minimum simply to produce children who can pass matric.We are not creating innovative thinkers, and innovative thinking is what will make the difference.” – Kariema van Rooyen, 50, from Gelvandale
"Ons gaan beter daaraan toe wees in tien jaar se tyd. Toe ons na die Noordelike Gebiede getrek het, moes ons net stilbly en vat wat die munisipaliteit vir ons gee. Daar is nou baie slim mense hier. Die fondasie is gelê. Dit is net ’n kwessie van tyd voor ons een van die belangrikste gebeide in Baai sal wees.” – Merle Barnard, 40, Springdale
"Ons toekoms lê in die Here se hande. Hy wil die beste vir sy kinders hê daarom sal dit beter wees in tien jaar se tyd. As ons ons geloof en vertroue in die Here sit, sal Hy vir ons die pad na die toekoms wys. Die Here wys sy genade elke dag hier vir ons. Die Noordelike Gebiede is vol mense wat in God glo” – Martha Loggenberg, 72, Bridgehaven
"As dinge so aangaan, sal ons in ’n baie slegte posisie beland in tien jaar se tyd. Ons raadslede moet begin om vir ons mense uit te kyk. Hulle kan baie meer doen, en as hulle nie eers nou na ons kyk nie hoe gaan hulle die munisipaliteit kan aanvat vir geld om die projekte in aksie te stel?” – Clive Peterson, 42, Arcadia
"Die Noordelik Gebiede gaan in ’n goeie posisie wees in tien jaar se tyd. Maar ons moet opleidingsprogramme kry om ambagte soos elektrisiëns te leer. Dan kan hulle ons praktiese dinge leer wat ons sal help om werk te kry en daardeur genoeg tyd en geld te hê om die gemeenskap te help.” –Runeshan Plaatjies, 34, Helenvale
"Ons sal dit beter hê in tien jaar se tyd as ons mekaar kan help. Daar is baie ryk mense in die Noordelike Gebiede met hulle eie besighede maar as iemand van ons aansoek doen vir werk, gee hulle liewer daardie werk vir mense uit die ander woongebiede.” – Bridge Erasmus, 44, Parkridge
