September 2026

From the Estate Manager’s Desk

Dear Residents,

As I write this, spring is just around the corner, bringing with it that familiar sense of renewal across Fourways Gardens. There is much to look back on, and even more to look forward to.

Our Annual General Meeting in July gave us an opportunity to reflect on the year gone by and to set our course for the one ahead. Between governance, investment in our infrastructure, environmental work, and the everyday life of our community, it has been a busy period, and I am pleased to share some highlights with you.

A new Board

Following our Annual General Meeting on 23 July, I am pleased to welcome four new Directors to our Board: Thomas Saether, Alexi Brink, Gareth Long and David Harrington. They join Andrew Niven and Ryan Horsman, both re-elected, who continue their work in the Finance and Security portfolios respectively.

On behalf of the Estate team, I look forward to working alongside the Board as we build on the work already under way.

A year of investment

The 2026/2027 financial year represents a deliberate year of investment, with the largest capital programme in our recent history. Importantly, this is planned and funded investment, directed towards infrastructure and systems that will serve Fourways Gardens well into the future.

Phase 1 Park upgraded

That investment is already visible in Phase 1 Park. New playground equipment gives our younger residents a safer and more engaging space in which to play, while the parking facilities have been enhanced to better accommodate the families and visitors who use them. The park is one of our most well-used communal spaces, and these improvements are intended to keep it a place our community can enjoy comfortably and safely.

Tennis court 2 refurbished

On a lighter note, tennis court 2 has now been refurbished. In response to growing interest in pickleball, the court has also been marked for that game alongside its traditional tennis configuration — better use of an existing facility, and room for another increasingly popular sport. Whichever code you favour, we hope the new markings serve you well.

Gardens and communal areas

A programme of landscape maintenance is under way across the Estate, with our gardens and communal areas receiving focused attention ahead of the warmer months. Residents may notice our teams working in different parts of the Estate over the coming weeks, and I thank you in advance for your patience with any interruptions.

Property Practitioners

The number of inducted property practitioners working within Fourways Gardens continues to grow. We now have 28 agencies and 47 individual practitioners who have completed our induction process, up from 21 agencies and 36 practitioners at the start of the year. This gives residents greater choice when buying, selling or letting, while maintaining the professional standards we expect.

The induction process exists for good reason: it ensures practitioners understand the requirements of our Estate and are committed to complying with both FWG HOA requirements and the standards of the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority. Equally important is a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate, an important consumer safeguard — residents should always satisfy themselves that any practitioner they appoint is appropriately registered and compliant.

We take these standards seriously, because our residents’ interests and the reputation of our Estate depend on them. Should you have any concerns about the conduct of a property practitioner operating within the Estate, please raise them directly with our office.

Junior entrepreneur market

Our Junior Entrepreneur Market on 1 August was, once again, an absolute delight. Young entrepreneurs brought their ideas, products and plenty of enthusiasm to the Clubhouse Lawn, and residents came out in numbers to support them. My thanks to everyone who helped make the morning such a success — and especially to the children themselves. Seeing their creativity, confidence and entrepreneurial spirit on display is always something special.

Our team

Two developments on the staff front that I am pleased to share.

Marc de Chalain has been appointed as our new 24/7 Security Manager. Residents will have little difficulty spotting him — Marc stands head and shoulders above most of us and certainly won’t be easily missed at the gates.

Closer to our own offices, I am delighted to announce the promotion of Katlego Letseka to Finance Manager, following many years of service as bookkeeper in our Finance Department. This is well-deserved recognition of that service and commitment. Developing and supporting our people is a goal the HOA takes seriously, and seeing a colleague grow into a senior role from within is precisely the outcome we hope for. On a personal note, it has been an honour to see Katlego stride into this new role.

Please join me in congratulating Katlego, and in welcoming Marc to Fourways Gardens.

A standout in security

Women’s Month also gives us an opportunity to recognise the women whose contribution helps keep our community running every day.

On 10 August, Phathutshedzo Maimela — known to many of us simply as Phathu — received a 24/7 Security Service Excellence Award. In the space of just one year she progressed from controller to shift supervisor and then to duty manager, becoming the first woman to hold that role at Fourways Gardens. Her own words perhaps say it best: “Nothing is too big or too small; I will get it done.”

Phathu has my congratulations, and so do the many women across our Estate — in security, in our offices, in our homes and throughout our community — whose commitment makes such an important contribution.

A giving community

Mandela Day once again reminded me just how generous this community can be. Our Knitwits have been knitting blankets in support of the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day initiative and continue to do so — a quiet, sustained act of generosity that speaks volumes. Closer to home, the HOA, together with The Gardens Bistro, provided our security team with a meal and snack packs in appreciation of their dedication.

Residents also responded generously to the hygiene essentials drive, undertaken in partnership with the City of Johannesburg to support vulnerable and elderly members of the wider community, and Fourways Gardens was well represented when those donations were handed over.

These gestures take different forms, but they speak to the same thing: a willingness to look beyond ourselves and to help where we can. My sincere thanks to everyone who gave their time, effort or means.

Looking ahead

Our Farmer’s Market returns on 6 September, and preparations for our Festive Market on 7 November are already well under way. Both have become firm favourites, and I look forward to seeing many of you there.

There is a good deal in the diary between now and the end of October:

Sunday, 6 September – Farmer’s Market

Saturday, 19 September – Movie Night

Saturday, 26 September – Beer Fest at The Gardens Bistro

Saturday, 24 October – Bubbles Festival at the Club Lawn

Saturday, 31 October – Trick-or-Treat

Our regular Classics Club, Quiz Night and Monthly Draw evenings continue alongside these, with details circulated through the App and our usual channels in good time.

Stronger together

Against a backdrop of protest action and some of the wider challenges facing our country, these past months have shown what can be achieved when people remain measured, informed and considerate of one another. There will always be issues on which we have different views — that is part of any community — and my thanks go to residents for keeping level heads, resisting alarmist messaging and, above all, continuing to extend care and solidarity to your neighbours.

I am equally grateful for how willing residents are to weigh in when we ask. Over 160 of you responded to our recent polls, helping us choose a site for the new bottle cap collection point and shape our Trick-or-Treat, Sweetie Spot and Carols planning. That is exactly the kind of engagement that keeps our Estate feeling like a genuine community rather than a collection of addresses.

Our infrastructure, security systems and beautiful environment all contribute to making Fourways Gardens a special place to live, but the strength of the community behind them matters most. We are stronger together, and that spirit makes Fourways Gardens a true sanctuary.

Charlene Marlin

Estate Manager