The Corlett Drive Improvement Precinct (CDIP) has turned plans into visible change. Since April 2025 the volunteer committee has built a professional, sustainable precinct and June marks the shift to boots-on-the-ground operations: daily cleaning, layered security, and community events already making the street safer and cleaner.
CDIP NPC is a registered non-profit organisation, run by local volunteer residents under, 'Let's Corlett'. Its express function is to halt urban decline and lawlessness in the Corlett Drive precinct restoring safety, cleanliness, and community pride to this corridor, says the NPO.
The model is based on proven Johannesburg CIDs like Rosebank, Sandton Central, Braamfontein and Newtown, all areas that reversed decline through cleaning, security and community activity.
According to the NPO, what's new and working now entails:
- Daily Clean-Up Delivering: Two cleaners via Rapid Area Intervention Deployment collect multiple bags daily along Athol Oaklands Road to the M1. Expansion toward Fairways is underway.
- Security Layered: Partnership with Melrose Arch security and Bad Boyz training for volunteer "eyes and ears" with walkie-talkies. CAP on backup, and full support from Ward Councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku.
- Community Active: Balwin's Weekly Tuesday fun walks and runs at the Balwin-adopted park create "eyes on the street" along the green corridor to Sandton.
- Funding Fair and Transparent: Monthly levy system launching for body corporates, households and businesses. Funds go to cleaning, maintenance, and security patrols. Goal: self-funding like other successful CIDs.
- Sponsorships and Advertising Open: Businesses can sponsor branded waste bins and advertise on our upcoming website and membership portal. In future, sponsorship opportunities will also extend to public-oriented community events. Great visibility and supports cleanliness and community cohesion.
- Communications Live Soon: Jade, Web & Comms lead, is securing @corlettdriveip.co.za. The website will feature contacts, levy info, an events calendar and sponsorship forms.
"Crime's still high and the City can't do it alone. When communities unite with consistent levies and visible effort, streets go from vulnerable to vibrant. Rosebank and Sandton proved it. Corlett Drive is next," concludes Mark Pencharz, Chair, CDIP.
*Image courtesy of contributor