Honour your security guard this Mandela Day by attending to your own safety
"Mandela Day this year will clearly be different, but we can still honour Madiba's legacy by honouring our heroes."
Fidelity ADT hopes residents use Mandela Day 2020 as an opportunity to honour the many security and health-care heroes.
“South Africa has no shortage of brave men and women who have continued giving their best since Covid-19 arrived. They do so under very trying circumstances,” said Charnel Hattingh from ADT.
“These police officers, soldiers, doctors, nurses and armed response officers have been on patrol and at their posts to keep us safe and healthy.
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“There are easy ways in which to honour these heroes. It involves changing how we live our lives each day, and by looking after our fellow citizens.
“We can start by focusing on how we behave ourselves.”
In the case of police officers and law enforcement agencies, she said residents can make their jobs easier by being aware of your surroundings and remaining vigilant.
Hattingh urged people to not keep quiet if you see suspicious activities in your suburb and to share information about crimes and criminals with the appropriate agency so that they can respond.
“We can also honour our health-care workers by taking responsibility for our health and by adhering to any pandemic-related health advisories, so that we put less pressure on our health-care network.”
Community solidarity and caring for our neighbours, according to Hattingh, should also be on the list.
“We have seen examples all over the country where suburbs have become safer when communities look after each other and stand together in the fight against crime,” she said.
This team work approach can take many shapes and sizes, from neighbourhood watch groups to WhatsApp groups.
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“The lesson is that this makes it easier for police and law enforcement organisations or even health-care workers to deploy their resources more effectively.
“Who better to immediately raise the alarm when someone is in distress than a neighbour?” asked Hattingh.
Hattingh called on all South Africans to find a way of honouring a hero this month, in a big or a small way.
“Mandela Day this year will clearly be different, but we can still honour Madiba’s legacy by honouring our heroes.
“Every little thing we do in our daily lives will ultimately make a big difference at the end of the day,” she said.
