By Lucky Sindane
THE City's safety awareness campaign, Qaphela, will focus its second phase on winter hazards like fires and illegal electricity connections, as well as construction sites and uncovered manholes.
The campaign was launched in February by Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo in memory of Karabo Gwala, the little boy who drowned after falling into an open drain at a construction site in Dube, Soweto, last year.
"This is part of our efforts aimed at keeping all residents in general and the children of this city in particular, safe," Masondo said. "Our approach to safety is informed by our own reality.
"These experiences range from hazards such as flooded rivers (water), uncovered manholes, accidents affecting pedestrians, fires - especially in informal settlements or buildings, exposed electricity cables and construction sites. We have a responsibility to ensure that there is greater awareness and consciousness at all times of safety and of the need to create a secure environment," the mayor said.
To raise awareness, the City has embarked on a massive advertising campaign. "Throughout May you will see and hear print, radio and television advertisements about water and electricity safety, among others," Masondo said.
In October and November phase three of the campaign will emphasise the dangers of rivers, fires and thunderstorms.
Safety was a collective responsibility, the mayor said. "It is important for all of us, parents and communities, government and non-governmental organisations as well as various organisations of civil society, to understand and accept that safety should be our collective concern.
"To succeed we need to work in partnership. Let us educate our children, and sensitise and ensure that every member of the community is responsive to safety," he said.
Three of the City's utilities - Joburg Water, City Power and Johannesburg Roads Agency - recently signed a safety protocol that binds the City and external partners like Telkom, the Gauteng department of labour, the Association of Consultant Engineers and Eskom to ensure adequate safety and security measures are in place wherever they work in Johannesburg.
Meanwhile, the City officially will open the Karabo Gwala memorial park in Dube on Wednesday, 15 June 2005.
Residents are urged to report any dangers, such as open manholes, to Joburg Connect on 011 375 5555.
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