Another day, another acronym. GMOs, NGOs, NPOs, KPIs, LOLs, DBE, MBA, TBI, UBP… some of those are made up and you wouldn’t even know it. According to a precursory Google search, there’s actually something called Acrophobia, the fear of acronyms. As South Africans, I think we’re all a bit acrophobic, perhaps a hangover from all the government task teams and report commissions – you know the ones populated by at least 7 or 8 letters? Maybe it’s that feeling of being really old and not being able to navigate the murky waters of this new-fangled Internet speak. Or perhaps we’re at acronym saturation point (ASP)?
It’s time to KISS (keep it simple stupid) and go back to basics. So, we took a leaf out of the Beatles’ book and decided that it really is true what they say…
‘All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.’
We’re excited to announce “Love Hilton”. Love Hilton is a project to establish an Urban Improvement Precinct in Hilton. Instead of calling it HUIP, or HIP, or anything else, this project will proceed under the banner “LOVE HILTON”. Because, at the core, we love Hilton, and our aim is to foster a community collaborating to care for and improve our small town.
What lies ahead?
- We are receiving helpful co-operation from uMngeni officials, who are required to exercise oversight over the application process. We will shortly be meeting with them to ensure that our programme is aligned with their expectations in terms of the uMngeni UIP Policy.
- Over a number of weeks we will circulate information about the application, focusing both on the process to be undertaken and the perceived advantages of a UIP, together with the possible scope of “Love Hilton’s” activities.
- We will then run a Survey amongst property owners to collect feedback on concerns and possible priorities for “Love Hilton”.
- The Survey results will be shared and comments encouraged.
- The Survey process will inform a 5-Year Plan and Budget which will be presented to property owners for approval. This will be tested in a referendum. 60% of property owners are required to support the initiative for it to be submitted to uMngeni for approval and implementation.
- Along the way, “Love Hilton” will be registered as a Not for Profit, Section 21 Company, which will implement the activities as reflected in the budget.
- This process will extend to the middle of 2023. The target is to have “Love Hilton” operational in the 2023/2024 municipal financial year. There is much to be done to achieve this goal.
CONTACT
To communicate with the “Love Hilton” Steering committee, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. We will respond.
More about Hilton Ratepayers Association