Communications Interns
As part of the commitment towards local development and skills transfer, the communications agency for the Bekkersdal Renewal Project, Gabriel and Associates, have appointed five people residing in Bekkersdal, as communications interns.
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Thabo Makgamathe
Appointed as Coordinator, Communications Intern
“I'm glad about this opportunity and looking forward to bridging the digital divide in my community through this communications vehicle provided by the BRP. We live in an information society and I believe everybody should join the information superhighway.”
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Kgotso!
John Mathebula
Appointed as Communications Intern
"It’s great to be part of this programme. I love my community and want to contribute as much as I can. Through my photographic skills, I'm going to capture every moment of the development project."
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Molo!
Nomvuyo Masiza
Appointed as Communications Intern
"I’m happy to be part of a growing dynamic industry. I hope as I grow and prosper through this programme, so will my beloved community."
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Fo sho!
Jacky Mashinini
Appointed as Communications Intern
"I'm excited to have grabbed this opportunity and promise to do well. I want to learn and give back to my community as quickly as I possibly can.”
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Ek se!
Zama Mthethwa
Appointed as Communications Intern
"I'm proud and happy to be part of BRP. I'll be bringing news to the community about the community."
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The objectives of the internship programme are:
- To transfer skills and build capacity within the Community of Bekkersdal, especially in media and communications
- To ensure that the ‘skills and capacity’ built has the potential to sustain itself for the benefit of the community
- To select 5 community interns through a fair interview and transparent selection process
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The requirements for the internship position are:
- Resident of Bekkersdal
- Grade 12 is compulsory
- Tertiary qualification and / or experience in journalism, media, communications or marketing would be an advantage
- Able to proficiently read, write and speak in English and one other official language
- Hard working individual with good people skills
- An interest in pursuing a career in public relations, media liaison, marketing or communications
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The resources required for the interns include:
- Office Space: Bekkersdal Renewal Project, Bekkersdal MPCC
- Office Furniture: Desks / Table and Chairs – Department of Housing, Bekkersdal
- Office Stationary
- Office Equipment, namely:
- 3 x Entry-level Computer systems
- DVD Writers x 3
- Wireless modem; antenna and installation
- Wireless Broadband Internet Connection
- Email service
- Windows XP software x 3
- MS Office Software x 3
- Antivirus Software x 3
- Digital cameras (Minimum 5Megapixels) x 3
- All in one Printer / Fax / Scanner / Photocopier x 1
- Rechargeable Dictaphones x 3 + Tapes
- Mouse-pads; extensions cords; adapter
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Training Plan Elements:
Months 1 - 6:
1. Reading and writing
2. Computer literacy & Internet
3. Information gathering
4. Interviews and transcribing
5. Writing articles for newsletter
6. Writing articles for website
7. Covering an event
8. Event Management
9. Basic Project Management
10. Photography
Months 7 - 12:
1. Reading and writing
2. Computer literacy & Internet
3. Information gathering
4. Interviews and transcribing
5. Writing articles for newsletter
6. Writing articles for website
7. Covering an event
8. Event Management
9. Basic Project Management
10. Photography
11. Basic design and layout
12. Basic Website Development and Maintenance
13. Media Liaison
14. Public relations
15. Introduction to Strategy Planning
16. Setting up a small business
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Work Projects
- BRP Newsletter (BEKKIES!) and pamphlets
- Photography
- Community events organising
- Website updating and maintenance
- Supporting the related communications work of the Bekkersdal Renewal Project and stakeholders
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Development Awareness Campaign
Dolomitic Danger in Westonaria
About 15 000 families in Bekkersdal live on high-risk and dangerous dolomitic land. Buildings constructed on dolomitic land are in real danger of being suddenly plunged into sinkholes as the large dolomite rocks move and create or open up underground caverns. The Bekkersdal Renewal Project (BRP) was initiated to address the plight of Bekkersdal residents located on dolomitic land through a relocation plan.
“Most people affected in Bekkersdal are residing in informal settlements, backyard shacks and hostels. The Gauteng Department of Housing, together with the West Rand District Municipality, the Westonaria Local Council and the Randfontein Local Council, has identified suitable land in Westonaria South, Doogeheuwel and Middelvlei areas to relocate residents from unsafe dolomitic ground,” said Tsepiso Moloi, BRP Project Manager of the Gauteng Department of Housing.
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| Massive sinkhole have appeared suddenly on dolomitic land at the Westonaria Golf Course . |
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The Dolomite Action Campaign (DAC) was formed to inform the community about the risks of living on dolomitic land and the relocation plans for those Bekkersdal residents who are affected. The DAC has been conducting workshops in different wards and schools in Bekkersdal.
“This issue of unstable rocks and soils affects the whole of Bekkersdal. People should not be living on dolomitic due to the risk of huge sink holes suddenly appearing. Some dolomite is high risk and others one can build on with a special foundation. The DAC is working hard to inform the community of Bekkersdal about the dangers and what is being done to relocate people to safer land,” said Sipho Ncityane, of the Dolomite Action Campaign.
“The first priority of the Bekkersdal Renewal Project is to ensure the safety of our people,” said David Molebatsi, the Chairman of the Bekkersdal Development Forum. “We need to manage the risks posed by dolomitic conditions in Bekkersdal. The relocation plans are now finalised and the first households will be relocated by March 2009. People living along the sewage line were most affected. We have already relocated people from informal settlements on dolomitic land, to a Transit Camp, which is now being extended,” said Molebatsi.
According to Nico Venter of the Powerhouse Consortium, the BRP Programme Managers, some areas have been identified with low intensity dolomite, which can possibly be used for housing development. Westonaria South, Middlevlei and Droogehevel have been identified as excellent areas for Housing and Community development. Venter said that the release of land by the mining industry for housing development and farming was also being explored.
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| Damage caused to a house in Gauteng by the formation of a doline |
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What is dolomitic land?
The term 'dolomitic land' is used to describe areas in South Africa that have the dolomite rock type underground for up to 100 metres. Dolomitic rock is composed of the
mineral dolomite, which is a carbonate of calcium and magnesium. 25 percent of Gauteng is on dolomitic and affects some of the most densely populated areas such as Bekkersdal, Katorus, Centurion, Dobsonville and Deapmeadow.
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Why is dolomitic land dangerous?
Dolomite is soluble, which means it dissolves in water. Over time, rainwater and ground water gradually dissolves the rock by seeping into cracks and joints in the rock. The dissolving of the dolomite leads to caves and empty holes in the rock, underground. The soils covering the rock can eventually collapse into these underground caves resulting in massive ground movement on the surface, such as sinkholes or dolines. So far 38 people have died in sinkholes that have occurred under sports clubs, factories and homes and financial losses have exceeded R1 billion. Over 1000 sinkholes have occurred on the West Rand, 800 south of Pretoria, Centurion and Atteridgeville and about 150 on the East Rand.
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What is a Sinkhole?
Sinkholes result from the hollowing out of a space below the earth surface, which eventually breaks through at the surface. Sinkholes can be between one metre and one hundred metres wide and between one metre and one hundred and fifty metres deep. Sinkholes can happen suddenly and without any warning. It can cause huge damage to property and even a loss of lives.
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What is a Doline?
Dolines are cracks in the ground, ranging from a few metres to kilometres in width and length. They occur more slowly than sinkholes and are not as disastrous as sinkholes.
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How do I find out more?
Contact the Dolomite Action Campaign by calling Sipho Ncityane and Ratanang Lebeko on 011 755 3496. To find out about the next dolomitic awareness community workshop, contact the Bekkersdal Development Forum or the Community Liaison Officers.
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Environmental Health Awareness Campaigns
Information coming soon.
Education Outreach Information coming soon.
Safety and Security
The rate of crime is still high in Bekkersdal, including house breaking and robbery. The SAPS and the BRP’s Community Policing Forum (CPF) are working together to turn around this situation. Training and capacity building for the CPF members has begun and a Joint Command is currently being planned.
Bekkersdal contributes 50% of the crimes committed in Westonaria. Some of the constraints identified within the fight against crime, is the limited resources the satellite police station has. This has been addressed through a programme that has enhanced the facility of the police station. This includes the establishment of a joint command centre to bring safety and security components under one roof. Non statutory bodies such as Community Policing Forums has also been supported to ensure community participation, together with the police, in the fight against crime.
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