As part of its SAFE-U campaign, the Protection Services Unit in collaboration with the Student Housing and Residence Life unit at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is gearing up to host the Campus and Residence Vigilance: Preventing Harm Together Roadshows. The roadshows, aimed at fostering a safer and more vigilant campus and residence environment will commence on Monday, 22 April 2024 to Friday, 26 April 2024
The roadshows to be held at the Durban and Midlands residences are a build-up to the upcoming events, the Campus and Residence Vigilance Initiative: Self-Defense Workshop and Fitness and Wellness Day, which will be held at the Sport Centre,
Indumiso campus in Pietermaritzburg and the Fred Crookes Sport Centre, Steve Biko campus in Durban from Monday, 06 May 2024 to Thursday, 09 May 2024.
The roadshows are dedicated to empowering the DUT community to actively prevent harm and promote safety through education, awareness, and proactive measures.
Tips on Preventing Harm Together
1. Stay Aware: Be mindful of your surroundings and report any suspicious activities to campus authorities promptly.
2. Support Each Other: Encourage a culture of empathy and solidarity where everyone looks out for one another.
3. Take Action: Don’t hesitate to intervene if you witness someone in distress or in need of help.
4. Educate Yourself: Attend informative sessions and self-defense workshop to learn how to effectively respond to different situations.
5. Communicate: Keep lines of communication open with peers and staff to address concerns and share resources.
According to the Protection Services Director, Mr Relibile Mofokeng the mandate of the Protection Services unit is to create and maintain a safe environment at all DUT campuses.
“In our commitment to creating and maintaining a secure and supportive living environment for our students and staff, we recognise the importance of a collaborative approach involving the DUT community. We are proud to present the SAFE-U initiative, Campus and Residence Vigilance: Preventing Harm Together initiative,” said Mr Mofokeng.
He indicated that the primary objective of the Campus and Residence Vigilance: Preventing Harm Together Initiative is to foster a culture of safety, aimed at fostering a safer and more vigilant campus and residence environment. Through awareness, education, and proactive measures, the Protection Services unit aims to prevent harm and promote a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to act in ensuring the well-being of themselves and others.
The Main Events of this Initiative are:
Protection Services Unit is inviting the DUT community to the Preventing Harm Together Initiative: Self-Defense Workshops to be held on 06 May 2024 (Sport Centre, Indumiso campus) and 07 May 2024 (Fred Crookes Sport Centre, Steve Biko campus). The Workshops aims to empower the DUT community by equipping participants with practical skills and knowledge to ensure their safety and confidence in various situations. Further activities to look forward to are the panel discussions, self-defense workshops(teaching and demonstrations) and health screenings. In the upcoming days student and staff will be able to RSVP to this event. The plea to the DUT community is to come out in their numbers to support this much-anticipated initiative.
“In conjunction with the self-defense workshop, the Preventing Harm Together Initiative – Fitness andWellness Day will be held on 08 May 2024 (Fred Crookes Sport Centre, Steve Biko campus) and 09 May 2024 (Sport Centre, Indumiso campus). The aimis to promote holistic well-being through physical activity and mindfulness practices. It will feature a range of activities such as: aerobics sessions, indoor football games, health screenings and nutritional guidance,” added Mr Mofokeng.
The Protection Services unit is urging the DUT Community to join them in building a stronger and safer community for all students and staff.
Pictured: DUT Protection Services Director, Mr Relibile Mofokeng during the 2023 DUT SAFE-U Crime Awareness Week campaign.
Simangele Zuma
