An international concept to help neighbours help each other during times of need was successfully implemented in Gonubie when a nine-year-old child went missing two weeks ago.
Inspired by “social street”, a concept developed by a couple in Italy that has now been adopted across the globe, Gonubie residents established three “versions” of social street on Facebook: Gonubie Main Road (GMR); the Nubians Unlimited and the Gonubie Project to help track down the missing child.
Social street helps residents of a particular area to know one another, establish bonds, exchange knowledge, share needs and carry out projects of common interest.
The power of the three Gonubie versions of social street was tested when residents rallied together using these social media groups to form a search party to look for the missing girl who was later re-united with her family.
Amina Mbaye was re-united with her family after a Gonubie resident saw her picture posted on the GMR group.
GMR was created about two years ago aiming to shed light, inform and update residents on the progress of the GMR upgrades.
Nubians Unlimited was created last year by Gonubie biker Louw Myburgh.
Myburgh, a firm believer in the power of good neighbourliness, said the group was used as a platform to notify other users when someone needed help or to recommend services or businesses.
Gonubie Protect was created about a month ago with the purpose of safeguarding the area by trawling the streets at night.
Daniel Ellis from Gonubie Protect said the group’s mission was to ensure safety of residents in the suburb.
Managing director at Social Media 101 Leandri Janse van Vuuren said social media was becoming an increasingly central part of how people communicated.
Janse van Vuuren said a recent study revealed there was 13 million active Facebook users in South Africa.
“So it makes sense to communicate with communities on a platform with which they are familiar. Online communities carry a strong influential voice and there is much to be gained from engaging directly with people through these channels.
“Social media acts as a catalyst and is the ideal channel through which to mobilise individuals and communities around a cause. Facebook groups such as the one in Gonubie encourages individuals to become involved in community issues,” Janse van Vuuren said.
GMR administrator Sharlayne Foster said although the main focus of the group was to keep residents abreast on issues like the upgrades on the road, it also serves as platform for people who found themselves in a vulnerable situation.
“For instance there was a woman who had a breakdown on the main road and after her predicament was posted on the group one of the members went and assisted her. We have also reunited a number of lost pets with their owners.”
‘Social street’ helps find missing girl
Inspired by “social street”, a concept developed by a couple in Italy that has now been adopted across the globe, Gonubie residents established three “versions” of social street on Facebook: Gonubie Main Road (GMR); the Nubians Unlimited and the Gonubie Project to help track down the missing child.
Social street helps residents of a particular area to know one another, establish bonds, exchange knowledge, share needs and carry out projects of common interest.
The power of the three Gonubie versions of social street was tested when residents rallied together using these social media groups to form a search party to look for the missing girl who was later re-united with her family.
Amina Mbaye was re-united with her family after a Gonubie resident saw her picture posted on the GMR group.
GMR was created about two years ago aiming to shed light, inform and update residents on the progress of the GMR upgrades.
Nubians Unlimited was created last year by Gonubie biker Louw Myburgh.
Myburgh, a firm believer in the power of good neighbourliness, said the group was used as a platform to notify other users when someone needed help or to recommend services or businesses.
Gonubie Protect was created about a month ago with the purpose of safeguarding the area by trawling the streets at night.
Daniel Ellis from Gonubie Protect said the group’s mission was to ensure safety of residents in the suburb.
Managing director at Social Media 101 Leandri Janse van Vuuren said social media was becoming an increasingly central part of how people communicated.
Janse van Vuuren said a recent study revealed there was 13 million active Facebook users in South Africa.
“So it makes sense to communicate with communities on a platform with which they are familiar. Online communities carry a strong influential voice and there is much to be gained from engaging directly with people through these channels.
“Social media acts as a catalyst and is the ideal channel through which to mobilise individuals and communities around a cause. Facebook groups such as the one in Gonubie encourages individuals to become involved in community issues,” Janse van Vuuren said.
GMR administrator Sharlayne Foster said although the main focus of the group was to keep residents abreast on issues like the upgrades on the road, it also serves as platform for people who found themselves in a vulnerable situation.
“For instance there was a woman who had a breakdown on the main road and after her predicament was posted on the group one of the members went and assisted her. We have also reunited a number of lost pets with their owners.”
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