Delmas Safety Day: Cooperation essential for safer communities – AfriForum

AfriForum, SAAI, and various other safety stakeholders – including the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Delmas – hosted a safety day for farmers in the Delmas area on Tuesday 18 August. The event aimed to empower farmers with practical solutions for safer communities. Approximately 60 farmers attended the event.

Members of AfriForum’s Community Safety Division introduced the farmers to the organisation’s emergency button app, among other things, and provided information on AfriForum’s existing safety resources, such as drones and radio networks.

The safety situation in Delmas was also examined, and various legal issues facing farmers in the area were discussed.

Other stakeholders highlighted the potential of technology, including camera networks and radios, to enhance safety and apprehend criminals.

Raymond Hohls, Community Safety Manager at AfriForum, maintains that safety and cooperation go hand in hand. “Cooperation between different organisations is crucial for achieving safer communities. Communities should not stop initiatives like these and must continue to prioritise their safety,” he explains.

According to Hennie Bekker, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Highveld, events like these are essential in every community to keep members informed of the latest developments regarding ways farmers can protect their families. Safety days also foster cooperation among all stakeholders, he says.

The issue of farm safety remains one of the biggest challenges for commercial farming operations, according to Dr Theo de Jager, Chairperson of SAAI. “The ineffectiveness of security forces and the accompanying rise in rural crime have prompted SAAI and AfriForum to expand their footprint in farming communities through the organisation of farm watches, training, technology, and preparedness initiatives. During the safety day, the latest campaigns and technologies were showcased, and a thorough assessment of needs was conducted,” he concludes.

AfriForum will continue to work with stakeholders and communities to improve safety. Visit www.afriforumbuurtwag.co.za and get involved with your nearest neighbourhood watch today.

• Cover image for illustration purposes only.