Emergency help a WhatsApp away
Review caught up with the admin members to ask them about themselves, their involvement in the group and also their safety tip for the upcoming festive season.
POLOKWANE – Accidents and emergencies can happen at any given second and time can be the difference between life and death. Citizens Emergency Limpopo is a WhatsApp group which has been instrumental in not only assisting people in emergency situations but also by helping to prevent other situations by giving out information. This group provides information about accidents as well as keeps the public updated on issues which may concern them in and around the city. The admin members on the group make turns to keep Polokwane residents in the loop. Anyone is allowed to join the group by sending Michelle Venter a message at 061 823 1938. She said the only requirement to join the group is to promise that you will share valuable information to them so that they can assist others.
Review caught up with the admin members to ask them about themselves, their involvement in the group and also their safety tip for the upcoming festive season.
• Name and surname: Francois van Niekerk.
• Day job: Field technician for a compressed air company.
• How do you manage both: “It gets difficult to balance all the things I do at times but my family is my first priority. Our whole household is involved in assisting other people in some way.”
• Safety tip: Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy, check your tyre’s pressure regularly, reduce your speed and rather drive an hour longer to your destination.
• Why he is involved: He has been involved in various community groups and projects since 2016.
• Name and surname: Lee -Anne Mulder
• Day job: Forms Media Independent Polokwane sales person.
• How do you manage both: She says it is hard at times to balance everything but to hear that you helped to save someone’s life is priceless.
• Safety tip: Drivers should adhere to the law as this can save lives and prevent accidents.
• Why she is involved: To make people aware of what is happening and to try and help people in emergency situations.
• Name and surname: Michelle Venter.
• Day job: Housewife.
• How do you manage both: “I have the time to spend on the group as I am a housewife and it keeps me busy except when my husband comes home. Then it is family time.”
• Safety tip: Make sure that your vehicle is roadworthy, drive at safe distances and be alert on the road at all times.
• Why she is involved: She got involved in the group to help those in need in an accident.
• Name and surname: Arelda and Johan Koekemoer.
• Day job: Lodge Manager (Arelda) and draughts man (Johan).
• Safety tip: Take regular breaks and keep a safe following distance when you are driving.
• Why they are involved: “We have been with the group for a short while. Our main reason for joining the group is to be able to assist the community who are in need of emergency help.”
• Name and surname: Jacques van der Westhuizen.
• Day job: Tow-truck driver.
• How do you manage both: His golden rule to balancing everything is to have a positive mindset and commitment to the people and power from above.
• Safety tip: Be aware at all times.
• Why he is involved: He describes the emergency group as a team who cares about the people and he has been involved for the past three years.
