QUIGNEY VOICE

SAFEGUARDING YOUR COMMUNITY IS A DEMANDING JOB

By Roberta Vermaak | November 2025

PHOTO: Anele Mkangelwa, Community Safety Leader

The story of MK, a village boy who fell in love with Quigney.

NOT all heroes wear capes; some wear reflector vests with hats and patrol the streets. Anele Mkangelwa (37) is a Ngqamakhwe native who came to East London to study a Mechanical Engineering diploma and fell in love with this wonderful city, specifically Quigney.

Unable to finish his diploma, he started his own cleaning and grass cutting business. At the time Quigney was a hotspot for theft and crime and his equipment was unfortunately stolen during a housebreaking. Instead of giving up, he decided to start a community forum with a group of other individuals to deal with crime.

"They did not want to associate themselves with the stigma of a 'Forum' as it is commonly known for beating people up and mob killings. The group decided to name themselves 'The Neighbourhood Watch'."

From Neighbourhood Watch to Community Leadership

They were later introduced to the Community Police Forum (CPF), a relationship he says fell through because of politics and power dynamics. He quit 'The Neighbourhood Watch' but continued to be concerned and involved in community safety.

Anele, widely known as MK believes that dealing with illegal activities does not start with the criminals, but the state of mind of the community.

The formation of the Quigney Ratepayers' and Residents' Association in 2023, he says, has provided much needed support and structure for a reliable safety watch and cleaning team. He works as the head of safety and cleaning under the Association.

"A lot of people whisper that I am probably getting paid a lot of money, why would I care so much. I do not get paid a lot of money. My activeness stems from passion and genuine care for the environment and not hunger and a selfish mindset."

Hope for a Better Community

Despite a lot of obstacles in the journey of leading people to do the 'right or decent' thing, the hope of a suburb and community that is free of drugs, prostitution and crime holds higher significance for MK. The bigger aim is job creation and maintaining the beautiful history of Quigney.

Aside from being the head of safety and cleaning for the Quigney patroller, MK is also the chairperson of the Inter-town patrollers; multiple forums that include Beacon Bay, Duncan Village, Scenery Park, Southernwood, Quigney and West Bank. According to him, change happens whether we consent to it or not.

"But if we are active in keeping the values we uphold, all the generations after will inherit the way of good deeds. I don't have a lot of free time but when I do have a few minutes alone, I like to read books."