Transnet Foundation

SEID Takes Rail Safety Awareness to High Schools

SEID Takes Rail Safety Awareness to High Schools

Posted By: Transnet Foundation

07.11.2014

The Socio-Economic Infrastructure Development (SEID) portfolio’s Khuma Transnet Community Center in Potchefstroom waltzed differently into the spring season this year. The center held a rail safety campaign from September 3rd to the 5th; albeit differently from the way the sister centers have been conducting their safety campaigns. This was done in partnership with TFR our key rail safety partner, local government and their agencies and the NGO sector.

SEID Takes Rail Safety Awareness to High Schools image

The Socio-Economic Infrastructure Development (SEID) portfolio’s Khuma Transnet Community Center in Potchefstroom waltzed differently into the spring season this year. The center held a rail safety campaign from September 3rd to the 5th; albeit differently from the way the sister centers have been conducting their safety campaigns. This was done in partnership with TFR our key rail safety partner, local government and their agencies and the NGO sector.

Over and above the traditional level crossing awareness where pedestrians and motorists are handed flyers, Khuma center threw into the mix a rail safety trailer. Spreading the rail safety message, the trailer moved around and visited busy intersections as well as Khuma and Stilfontein taxi ranks on all three days of the campaign.

There was even greater activity in the community high schools as preparations for the first ever SEID sponsored inter-schools debate on rail safety kicked off. The robust debate also sought to highlight the importance of efficient rail infrastructure in upscaling of the South African economy.

Ndivhuho Takalani, assistant manager for the SEID portfolio, explained that the 1st semis for the debate were between Vuyani Mawethu High School and Thuto Thebe High School on September 3rd 2014. Each school was represented by five leaners and a student Vuyani Mawethu, came out victorious.

“Second semi-finals were held on September 4th and were between Borakanelo High School and Dirang Ka Natla High School. Like the first semi-finals each school had five participants. Borakanelo came out victorious. The finals were held on 12 September 2014 at Khuma Community hall from 13H00 to 16H00.

“The participating schools were Vuyani Mawethu High and Borakanelo High, with Vuyani Mawethu High School walking away with the ultimate prize of a gold trophy, a Lenovo Laptop for the school, five Transnet branded gold medals and five Transnet branded golf shirts,” Ndivhuho explained.

The second best school, Borakanelo High School, was presented with a smaller gold trophy, five Transnet branded silver medals as well as five Transnet branded golf shirts. The two eliminated schools in the semi-finals (Thuto Thebe and Dirang Ka Natla High Schools) also walked away with five Transnet branded golf shirts.

 

Ricky Maharaj, SEID Senior Manager, applauded the community for coming out in great numbers in support of the portfolio’s cause. Mr Maharaj was even more impressed by the full participation of the area’s high schools in the debate. “With such a massive turnout and participation in our first ever rail safety debates our plan is to now roll out the initiative to other Transnet Community Centers and incorporate these debates into the frequently held rail safety campaigns nationwide,” he concluded.

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