We, the undersigned, proudly support the work of The Fortis Collective and the meaningful impact it is having on the wellbeing of individuals and families in our community.

What began as a simple, personal decision to show up differently in our community has grown into something far more meaningful. When we first noticed the Lynnwood Pine Forest, it was quiet for all the wrong reasons, underused, unsafe, and largely avoided. Like so many public green spaces across South Africa, it had been left to deteriorate, despite its incredible potential.

Yet within just six weeks, that same space has been brought back to life thanks to the Fortis Collectives actions. We have cut and kept the forest for the last 8 weeks and will continue to do so going forward. We have hosted over 50 free community events and welcomed more than 800 people into the forest. Families who once drove past now linger. Children who lacked access to safe outdoor spaces now play freely. Adults have found a place to pause, connect, and breathe again. What was once avoided is now valued.

Across the City of Tshwane, there are hundreds of public parks and green spaces, many of which remain underutilised or neglected. Unfortunately, these spaces often become associated with crime and anti social activity when they are not actively used or cared for.

The Fortis Collective has demonstrated that meaningful change does not always require large scale infrastructure or significant capital investment. With consistent, community led activation and care, these spaces can be reclaimed and reimagined as safe, inclusive environments that support physical health, mental wellbeing, and social connection.

We believe this initiative represents far more than a single success story. It offers a powerful pilot model, one that can be refined into a replicable framework to revitalise underutilised public green spaces across Tshwane, and potentially across South Africa one day.

This petition reflects a growing community that believes in this vision. A community that has experienced first hand what is possible when people come together to care for shared spaces.

We respectfully call on the City of Tshwane to partner with The Fortis Collective, to support the continued development of this model, and to help unlock the full potential of public green spaces for the benefit of communities across the city and beyond.