September 2024

UPDATE FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON, RYAN HORSMAN

Our growth as an estate requires us to face our challenges head-on and to creatively deploy the tools at our disposal to overcome these challenges. The past year has seen the HOA evaluate its service providers, systems, and strategic alignment with the goals of the estate. Inevitably this has meant change, and we all – staff, owners, residents, and Directors – have had to adjust so that our estate remains competitive, at the forefront of technology and demonstrates its solid investment appeal.

The groundwork for a very productive year was laid by Lisa Hovgaard, who stood as Board Chairperson until handing over the responsibility in February, cognisant of the logistical challenges of continuing as Board Chair whilst out of the country. Amongst the Board, Lisa has been affectionately known for her infectious ‘can-do, will-do’ attitude, and I would like to thank her for the most invaluable input and experience she has shared.

In my capacity as Chairperson from February 2024, I can confidently state that we as a collective Board are all the stronger for the ongoing contributions of each Director – Lisa Hovgaard (Communications and Events), Andrew Niven (Finance), David Challa (Legal and Compliance), Cheryl Whitaker (Human Resources), Richard Hurly (Environmental and Facilities) and Maggs Moonsamy (Information Technology and Architecture).

We are exceptionally fortunate that the current board has a particular synergy, and all discussions and projects pertaining to the greater good of our estate are shared and discussed as a collective.

Undoubtedly, the top priorities in the Fourways Gardens Homeowners Association are Finance and Security. Under Andrew’s stewardship, we have seen a firm and enforced stance on debt collection and a tenacious commitment to shoring up the estate’s financial position and reserves.

Significant expenditure on Security (CCTV Project) and facilities (Clubhouse renovation) in the 2022/2023 financial year saw us start the 2023/2024 year with lower reserves than previously, and a zero-based budget was prepared and accepted at the 2023 AGM. The HOA and Board of Directors have meticulously ensured that all expenditure was constructive, within budgetary constraints and in line with best practice.

This approach meant that a levy increase of 7.26% was possible to minimise the impact on members and maintain considerable value for a levy amount below that of most of our peer estates.

I am particularly proud to report that we have maintained the integrity of our estate security system. While there have been some vehicular incidents damaging walls, a fast reaction by our security and operational teams ensured that residents were never at risk.

Petitions for speed bumps on Bushwillow Avenue as well as within the estate bounds, have been presented to the Council, and we are hopeful that this will be met favourably. We would also like to extend our thanks to the residents on the perimeter of the estate who have camera installations in their property border – our continued peace of mind requires ongoing maintenance of the security apparatus and the cooperation of these residents to ensure that we can access cameras and equipment to maintain our track record as a secure and safe estate.

Our Estate Manager, Charlene Marlin, has been with us for over a year, has taken up the reins, and has managed the estate staff excellently. She is not one to be office-bound, and many of you will have seen or interacted with her outside of the HOA offices while casting a keen eye on all the projects underway.

Her team is very motivated, and you can be assured that every HOA employee has the best interests of Fourways Gardens Estate at heart.

The Board of Directors would like to thank our fellow residents for your confidence and support, and we assure you that there is still plenty of steam in the engine to drive our estate forward and to the forefront of aspirational estate living.

Our estate’s AGM held on 31 July 2024 was particularly well attended and demonstrated that the Fourways Gardens community takes an active interest in the well-being of the estate. The HOA and Board of Directors extend our sincere thanks to all who engaged with us – whether to resolve queries or raise concerns for further discussion, attend the AGM, or submit proxies. Community engagement is essential in supporting the ongoing work of the HOA to improve all aspects of our estate.

All resolutions passed by a significant margin and matters raised for further discussion are in hand for harmonious community living. The current Board of Directors all stood for re-election and were encouraged by the vote of confidence in their vision and projects for the 2024/2025 term. I would like to mention once again the tremendous input of Lisa Hovgaard, who stood as the Board Chairperson until handing over this responsibility. We thank her for the most invaluable input and experience she has shared with us.

The Board of Directors has entrusted me with a second term as Board Chairman, and David Challa has been voted the new Board Vice-Chairman. Portfolio Directors are Ryan Horsman (Security), Andrew Niven (Finance), David Challa (Legal and Compliance), Cheryl Whitaker (Human Resources; Communications and Events), Richard Hurly (Environmental and Facilities) and Maggs Moonsamy (Information Technology – Infrastructure and CCTV; Architecture).