We are excited to introduce the Meanwood Kwamwena Community Hub, a digital platform created by and for our community. What started as a simple idea over conversations with neighbours has grown into something we believe can truly transform how we connect, share information, and support each other.
Our Vision
Meanwood Kwamwena Community Hub aims to be your one-stop information centre for news, events, announcements, business listings, clubs, societies, and so much more.
Starting Simple, Dreaming Big
We are initially launching as a landing page (single-page static website), but we have ambitious plans. Here is what we envision growing into over time:
Initial Phase
- Website: Have a landing page (static website) that welcomes people to this new initiative, to get the word out there, so to speak.
- Facebook Page: A Facebook page to support the website
- Facebook Group: A Facebook group as a simple way to get members from the community
- LinkedIn Page: A LinkedIn page to support the website
- WhatsApp Group: A WhatsApp group as a simple way to get members from the community
- Internal Organisation System: This involves outlining a mechanism by which the community hub can keep organised. This includes storage of drafts, archiving information, sequence of steps required to do something (instructions), onboarding system, content strategy, etc.
Immediate Priorities
- Blog: Get the latest news updates about Meanwood Kwamwena. This includes a real-time daily live blog feed, general information about the area, and much more.
- Community Notice Board: A digital notice board for broadcasting announcements from key community stakeholders like the Local Municipal Council, public service providers, schools, clinic, churches, etc.
- Events Calendar: A digital calendar for community members to know key dates and venues for events within the Meanwood Kwamwena area.
- Local Business Directory: Listings of businesses located within and around the Meanwood Kwamwena area. Listings will include trading hours, work days, contact information, services, etc.
- Price Check Tool: A snapshot of the current prices of goods and services within the local markets and shops.
- Volunteers: Get as many volunteers as possible who can contribute via information gathering, information verification, storytelling, content creation, etc.
- Fundraising: To set up a monetisation system that sustains the community hub. This includes selling advertising space on our online platforms, getting sponsorship from well-wishers, investors, corporate supporters, etc.; receiving donations from the greater Meanwood Kwamwena community; and a reward mechanism for would-be supporters.
Mid-term Priorities
- Clubs and Societies Registry: Creation of a registry of all the clubs and societies within the community. This includes information on how to register and become a member, meeting days, etc.
- Contributor Network: To evolve the list of volunteers into a robust contributor network system, where residents can sign up, with a leaderboard ranking, etc.
- YouTube Video Channel: As our content matures, we hope to offer videos as an alternative source of information.
- State of Roads Bulletin: An important part of the community for road users to assist in the prevention of road incidents.
Future Innovations
- Local Marketplace: A marketplace platform for community members to buy and sell goods and services within the community. In addition, service exchanges and tool and equipment rental systems.
- Reliable Maps: Up-to-date and accurate maps of the Meanwood Kwamwena area, including accurate bus routes, business locations, navigation, etc.
- Enhanced Emergency Systems: These include accurate information on emergency contacts like Fire, Ambulance, and Police; power outage tracking systems; flood alert systems; and fire alert systems.
- Community Radio Station: As our content provision matures, we hope to offer live radio as a real-time source of information. This will help include non-internet users of the community.
- Crime Watch System: A feed containing key information related to crime, like wanted lists, location-based crime hot zones, crime statistics, etc.
Community Infrastructure Projects
We're not just digital. We want to support physical improvements too:
- Street light implementation project
- Addressing system (road names, house numbers)
- Clean-up campaigns
- Neighbourhood watch coordination
How You Can Get Involved
This only works if we do it together. We need:
- Content Contributors: Share news, write about local businesses, cover community events
- Data Collectors: Help us build accurate business listings, price information, and community resources
- Verification Team: Ensure our information stays current and accurate
- Business Partners: Local businesses wanting to be featured and listed
- Community Champions: Spread the word and encourage neighbours to participate
- Supporters: Whether through small donations or volunteer time
Our Commitment
We pledge to manage this platform with integrity, accuracy, and transparency. This isn't about profit, it's about building a stronger, more connected Meanwood Kwamwena.
We believe that when neighbours know each other, support each other's businesses, and stay informed about community matters, everyone benefits.