SECURITY UPDATE

In the seasonal edition of The BUZZard (December 2025), a plan to install trailblazing technology was introduced by Kingswood security team chairman Fielies Nieuwoudt.

In short, it’s an advanced camera system to manage the movement of golf and restaurant guests and an LED display identifying them. Drivers’ names – not registration numbers, as visitors are often transported by e-hail taxis or rental cars – come up in lights on these display boards, indicating whether they are on the right track or required to leave the estate.

The cutting-edge technology does, however, pick up on numberplates and tracks non-resident drivers throughout the estate to ensure that they head in the right direction. ‘At the time of our previous chat, we were testing to see if locally produced cameras could be programmed to talk to the Gallagher app.

‘This tech, when acquired from abroad, is extremely costly, so local programmers were roped in to write the software that would allow integration while keeping expenses to a minimum. We are now preparing to implement the final phase,’ says Fielies.

Get this, then get on the app

Control measures of the final phase will entail installation of this equipment across from the golf course maintenance building, next to the new Community Centre / Clubhouse in Brookside Road, and Knightsbridge Road.

‘This decision was made in cooperation with our trustees, with the emphasis on zero inconvenience to homeowners while keeping them as safe as possible. ‘Once the first of these pioneering systems has been erected at the maintenance building, it will allow us to do any required troubleshooting. All the necessary equipment is already on site except for the LED screens which is delayed from China and should be working by the end of May.’ But, adds Fielies, its successful rollout won’t work without the relevant apps.

‘Gallagher and My Estate Life must talk to each other, so please download and master these apps if you haven’t yet. If necessary, we’ll send instructions to homeowners to guide them through the process. Rest assured that the POPI Act is being respected, so your details are safe with us. But it’s essential for everything to be on one platform.

In other news

KGE’s contract with Fidelity Security Services is now in the process of renewal. ‘We are signing a new five-year contract from March for 60 months. Part of this deal is a drone with a trained operator – and no impact on residents’ privacy. But drones are the best way to track someone down if there is drama. ‘Most importantly, its presence deters wannabe offenders – a top priority.

Staying ahead of the curve informs our decisions with every security upgrade considered. You may never achieve the 100% ideal but being better than the rest means you have the best chance to be left alone.’ Stats from the latest security report illustrate some facets of the task at hand.

In terms of traffic during February, homeowners and golf members accessing the estate with Gallagher totalled 46,291 in; over 17,000 visitors entered with MEL (daily average 618 in, 612 out); the monthly average of clubhouse visitors topped 2,200.

Service providers and construction workers totaled 6,660, and deliveries 2,525, while turnstile walk-ins of domestic and garden workers saw a daily total estimate of 1,300 and a monthly average of over 28,000. ‘All we can say is thank heavens it’s going so well, considering the volume of traffic and building, and other activities at Kingswood.

All systems are in place to further the groundwork done in 2025 and to carry out these project extensions this year. ‘Working within budget limitations, the camera project is on track while trenching for fibre and electrical connections continues. The fence cameras are never off because, in the rare case of a power failure, they fall back on by inverters and batteries,’ says Fielies.

Revisiting the long-term plan of relocating the control room from its current container home when space became available at the gatehouse, Fielies explains that finances dictated a delay in this move. ‘The control room is working well, so we opted to rather spend money on cameras. ‘It’s imperative to not eat into your savings, and the camera project will take another two years to stay within the budget. Estates like ours must ensure that there’s at least six-months’ living costs in the kitty, catering for when any type of emergency strikes.’

To be or not to BnB …

Finally, Fielies reminds residents that running an Airbnb or similar short-term rental offering from your Kingswood home is no longer allowed without you living in the home. ‘In line with South African trends, we have done away with this practice in our constitution.

‘This was announced to residents on 26 December, so will gradually be phased out and be completely prohibited from 27 November 2026. The only instance in which you can rent out space at your place is if you live there on a permanent basis. ‘People don’t realise the security risk of ill-behaved overnighters – in fact, 99% of security callouts over weekends resulted from trouble with short-term visitors.

Among these counted smashed garage doors after raucous drinking, and ruined furniture, while neighbouring homeowners’ weekends were ruined in the process. Report any suspicious behaviour to the control room on 087 537 9733 (landline) or WhatsApp 083 522 0731; call Gate 1 on 044 874 6877, Gate 2 on 044 874 4797, and Gate 3 on 044 874 4597