Blue Gill Estate Newsletter April 2024

“It’s a wonderful world”

SECURITY REPORT

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

GUARD OF THE MONTH

TERRIBLE TERMITES!

Blue Gill Homeowners Association, neither the Directors nor employees accredits, approves or endorsed any service provider being advertised in the newsletter. Any advertisements are done on a pay-buy placement basis. We do however recommend that before any advertised service provider is used you personally accredit them through references.

Issue: June 2024 Disclaimer: This digimag is produced especially for residents of Blue Gill Estate to provide updates and useful information. It is produced by GLOVent Media & Fab Creative, on behalf of the Blue Gill Estate. Although every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of content, Blue Gill Estate HOA and/or the Publisher, cannot be held liable for any inaccurate information, and may not agree with all opinions expressed in this publication.

Welcome, April 2024! The first three months of this year have come and gone, together with the extremely hot weather we have experienced this year. Maintenance is the word on everyone’s lips.

We have upgraded the front paved area at the Clubhouse, as well as all the garden paths in the main garden areas which contributed to our Safety, Health and Environmental score.

Certain areas of the top and bottom dams have been ridded of invasive plants

and we have upgraded the gardener’s room and bathroom and the Estate’s storeroom. Terrible Termites Terminated Termite activity was discovered in the Clubhouse and surrounding areas. Professional exterminators were used to address

the problem. We please request that all residents inspect their properties as well, as these little insects can cause serious damage to your property.

Rules and Regulations

We are in the process of revising our Estate Rules and Regulations to be in line with our Memorandum of Incorporation approved at the Annual General Meeting of 2023. The revised Rules and Regulations will be sent to all homeowners before the Annual General Meeting of 2024 to be perused for approval.

Homeowners and tenants are advised that the current Rules and Regulations are still in place and should be adhered to.

Egg-siting Easter Hunt

Oh, bunny! Little ones can join in the Easter Egg Hunt at the Clubhouse on 1 April 2024 from 9:00 to 11:00. Bring your youngsters as they enjoy the morning in our beautiful gardens.

Community Day

We will be hosting a Community Day on 18 May 2024 for our youngsters to raise funds to contribute towards a new jungle gym at the dam area or even soccer posts at the play area. We will communicate more information about this in the coming weeks.

Congratulations

Three of our guards received certificates for five years of service

to the Blue Gill Homeowners’ Association. We wish to thank them for their loyal service towards the Estate. Read more about them on page 14.

Share Your News!

Please send any pictures of the Estate to Elda Weideman for use on the front pages of future newsletters. Your assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated. Our newsletter belongs to you, so please feel free to share your stories with us, as you are part of our community. Email Elda at bluegillmgr@bluegillestate.co.za.

Refuse collection is every Monday including public holidays, except for Christmas Day.

Easter Friday will be on 29 March 2024. Looking for an exciting way to celebrate Easter with your little ones? Look no further than our Easter Egg Hunt on Monday, 1 April 2024, from 9:00 to 11:00 at the Clubhouse. We have planned a fun-filled morning of searching for colourful eggs and making unforgettable memories. Bring the kids along to join the excitement and participate in our community Easter celebration. The guards can be contacted for security emergencies at the provided telephone numbers above. Josia Dimo can be contacted for any after-hour emergencies at 079 889 7423.

We are pleased to report that over the past two months, we have experienced no serious security breaches on the Estate. Teenagers were, however, caught playing ding-dongditch and one of our garden pots was stolen, with the plant and soil left behind. We were all young once and up to mischief, but please request your children to respect the property and privacy of others in the Estate.

New Security Target Security Services is no longer our security services provider. The monitoring of electrical fence alarms has been taken over by Rapid Response, to whom Target Security sold their business. We have appointed Rapid Response on a monthly basis to monitor all the electrical fence alarms of the Estate.

JOSEPH MOFYA

G uard of the Month

January 2024

We are proud to announce that Joseph Mofya has been named Guard of the Month for January 2024 at Blue Gill Estate. With over 20 years of loyal service to the community, Joseph is a valued member of our team. Outside of his role as a guard, he enjoys spending time gardening and is a devoted husband and father of three.

Thank you for your loyal service, Joseph. You are a star!

OBERT MTHEMBU

G uard of the Month

February 2024

Obert Mthembu was nominated as Guard of the Month for February 2024. He has been employed by the Estate since March 2015 and is a very loyal employee. He is a widower and has five children. Obert enjoys visiting his friends and spending time with his children. Thank you for your loyal service to the residents of this Estate!

PARKING ON PAVEMENTS AND INSTALLATION OF SHADE PORTS

We have received several complaints from residents regarding the issue of parking vehicles and trailers on pavements. Please note that, according to our Rules and Regulations, parking vehicles, trailers or visitors' vehicles on pavements is strictly prohibited. We encourage everyone to practise good neighbourliness

and refrain from parking on pavements, in consideration of your fellow residents.

We request that residents also avoid parking their private vehicles at the Clubhouse or the overflow parking area of the Clubhouse.

Residents frequently hire the Clubhouse over the weekends and

PARKING ON PAVEMENTS AND INSTALLATION OF SHADE PORTS CONTINUED

are entitled to utilise the parking areas during their usage of the facility.

Furthermore, the Francolin Close parking area is not intended for permanent parking of boats, trailers or vehicles.

Additionally, we kindly advise that you need to apply to the Architectural Committee to install a shade port at your property with the consent of your neighbours, especially if the installation will encroach on the building lines. The installation of shade ports next to a property on a pavement

will never be considered as it will be in breach of our Rules and Regulations and the Ekurhuleni By-Laws.

We appreciate the cooperation of all residents in adhering to these regulations and practices and wish to thank all residents who have cleaned their palm trees. We urge residents to remove the palm trees on their premises and pavements prone to lightning strikes, as it may cause fire damage to their properties or those of their neighbours.

Thank you in advance for your consideration in these matters.

Staff Matters

FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE FROM THREE GUARDS

Johannes Zulu, Hlakane Mathabathe and Bongani Khosa were all three employed on 1 February 2019 by the Blue Gill Homeowners’ Association. They were awarded with a certificate and gift voucher to thank them for their loyal service to the community of Blue Gill.

Environmental Matters

During February 2024, we experienced an enormous sewerage spill from Braambos Street, Glen Marais, into the Blue Gill Dam, as well as a diesel spill from an unknown source. The call for help with the last spill was heard by the community members of the Estate, and residents came together to address the mess.

Residents donated towels, blankets, ropes, bright lights and manpower to contain the spill until it could be addressed by Drizit, a professional company who cleared the spill the next morning.

Members of the Environmental Committee made it their mission to bring awareness to the Kempton Park community regarding the poor service delivery of the council, for which we thank them.

Maintenance was done in identified areas and islands in the top and bottom dams to ensure the flow of the water and to prevent stagnant water where mosquitos can breed. The sewer spillage did not help during this process and caused a terrible smell at the entrance of the dam. We wish to

thank the Environmental Committee members and the contractor for all their hard work and efforts to ensure that the dam is well-maintained to be enjoyed by all members of our community. Keep up the good work and environmental fight for our fauna and flora!

A Heartfelt Farewell and Gratitude

Dear esteemed residents of Blue Gill and The Waterfront, it is with mixed emotions that I bid you farewell through this letter. Over the years, it has been my privilege and honour to serve as your local estate agent, navigating the ever-changing landscape of our beloved residential estate. As I embark on the next chapter of my life, I find myself reflecting on the countless memories, relationships and experiences that have enriched my journey here. First and foremost, I extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support, trust and friendship throughout my tenure. Your confidence in my abilities as an estate agent has been a driving force behind my dedication to serving this community to the best of my abilities. Whether it was assisting with property transactions, providing guidance on real estate matters or simply lending a listening ear, I have cherished every interaction and opportunity

to contribute to the betterment of our estate.

Moreover, I am profoundly grateful for the relationships that have blossomed over the years. From chance encounters during property viewings to lively conversations at community events, it has been a pleasure getting to know most of you on a personal level. The sense of camaraderie and unity within our estate is a testament to the strong bonds that tie us together as neighbours and friends.

As I announce my retirement from the world of real estate, I am filled with gratitude for the privilege of calling this estate my home since 1995. The memories we have created together, the milestones we have celebrated and the sense of belonging we share will always hold a special place in my heart. While I look forward to embracing this new chapter alongside my husband, I will be spending this next period focusing on my health, surrounded by my loved ones and

family. Lastly, I must share with you the reason behind my unexpected departure.

Regrettably, I have recently been faced with an unforeseen illness that requires my utmost attention and focus. While this news comes with its own set of challenges, I am confident that with the support of my loved ones and the resilience instilled in me by this community, I will navigate this chapter with strength and determination.

In closing, I extend my sincerest wishes for the continued prosperity and harmony of our residential estate. May the bonds we have forged endure the test of time, and may each of you find fulfilment and joy in the years to come. Thank you once again for the privilege of serving as your estate agent and for the cherished memories we have created together.

With warm regards and heartfelt gratitude,

Corrie Snyman

Terrible Termites!

If you've seen a single termite, it might seem impossible that it could cause so much damage. Termites are tiny, usually only about a quarter of an inch to a half inch in length. But one single termite usually means a colony of thousands more nearby. While the damage that one termite can cause may be minor, a whole colony of termites can cause significant damage to building structures.

A termite colony is a complex social network consisting of a queen, workers, soldiers and other reproductive termites. Depending

on the species and each termite's social status, a termite's life cycle can last anywhere from two to 50 years, and a termite colony can survive indefinitely.

A colony of termites can have over a million individual members, hungrily munching away at any wood they get close to.

Recognising the signs of termites as early as possible is critical for termite control and minimising costly damage. Keep reading to learn about termite infestation signs and how to protect your home.

TERRIBLE TERMITES CONTINUED

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF A TERMITE INFESTATION?

A termite infestation is when members of a termite colony enter a residence or other structure. Termites’ diet primarily consists of cellulose found in wood, paper and cardboard. In nature, termites help clean up dead trees and other plant material, feeding off the cellulose in these materials. However, when present in homes and structures, a termite's appetite for cellulose can cause severe damage. Depending on the termite species you're dealing with, signs of termites in your house may look different. However, some of the most common termite infestation signs are:

• Termite swarmers (flying termites)

• Discarded termite wings

• Hollow-sounding or damaged wood

• Blistered floors

• Hard-to-open doors and windows

• Mud tubes of subterranean termites

• Frass (dry wood termite droppings)

• Damaged or bubbling wall paint or paper

• Dipping ceilings or other structural roof damage

• Mouldy scent Different termite species have different behaviours and treatment should be specific to the species you're targeting. Using the wrong DIY or over-thecounter termite solutions can often be ineffective and potentially dangerous. The best course of action is to call your local Terminix technician at the first sign of an infestation. It is suggested to make use of professional extermination services to inspect your property. They will be able to inform you if there are terranean or subterranean termites and treat for it accordingly.

We specialise in:

Payroll

Bookkeeping

Accounting Services

VAT Tax Submissions

Company Registrations

Secretarial Services

SARS e-filing

PAYE/UIF/SDL

Workman’s Comp

ROE Submissions

Supplier Database Registration

Income Verification

Your Affordable Bookkeeping and Accounting Experts

www.faberbookkeeping.co.za

We have noticed various dogs roaming the Estate and request residents to keep their animals secure in their premises. Please remember your animal is your responsibility, dogs and cats alike! We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.

• Adhere to the speed limit, a maximum of 40 kilometres per hour.

• Stop at stop streets! We are watching and taking random videos.

• Secure your animals in your property.

• Walk your dog on a leash. Pick up excrement as per Estate rules, nobody wants to step in or have to clean up your animal’s parcels, which is solely your responsibility.

• Please attend to your dog’s constant barking and ensure they have a nametag.

• The use of lawnmowers and machinery on a Sunday is between 09:00 and 13:00, as well as between 16:00 and 18:00. No exceptions!