Queen Baloyi
In a bid to combat the menace of vandalism and safeguard the City’s vital ICT infrastructure, the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC) has introduced a comprehensive anti-vandalism training programme aimed at empowering residents to actively participate in the protection of their community.
Led by Celani Mathenjwa, the Corporate Strategy and Reporting Executive at the entity, this initiative marks a shift from mere awareness campaigns to hands-on training. The objective is clear: to equip members of the public with the necessary skills and knowledge to become proactive guardians of municipal infrastructure.
Mathenjwa asserts that MTC’s training programme is designed to transcend awareness and instigate action.
“Participants are not only informed about the detrimental effects of vandalism but are also equipped with practical tools to combat it effectively,” he says.
Existing ambassadors of the programme have undergone a refresher course, while new ones are welcome to join the ranks. Each region will boast a team of 20–25 trained people, poised to make a tangible difference in their communities.
Mathenjwa says all participants gain invaluable insights into broadband infrastructure, understanding MTC’s operations, infrastructure intricacies, and the repercussions of vandalism.
The programme also aims to empower participants to potentially establish and manage their own businesses, contributing to the broadband infrastructure sector’s growth. He notes that integration with the SMME Portal Programme will help unlock doors to register and leverage business opportunities, fostering entrepreneurship among participants.
The programme’s commencement saw Region C in Durban Deep, Roodepoort, taking the lead recently, with Region F (City Deep) billed to follow suit soon.
The training sessions are conducted in regional public spaces like halls or schools and are designed to ensure accessibility for all interested individuals. Participants embark on-site visits to key broadband infrastructure locations, focusing on areas prone to vandalism. Through a “Portfolio of Evidence” (POE), comprising observations, images, and geo-coordinates, they document their findings, laying the groundwork for future interventions.
The second day of the programme revolves around sharing site visit findings and enhancing participants’ understanding and skills to help them gain insights into the broadband infrastructure industry.
The course focuses on the MTC’s mandate, clientele, and operations, helping participants explore infrastructure types, layout, and protection strategies. It also outlines the causes and consequences of vandalism while offering best practices for reporting vandalism.
“Our programme focuses on equipping participants with the knowledge to potentially establish businesses within the industry,” says Mathenjwa, adding that by arming residents with knowledge, the programme instills a sense of ownership of public infrastructure, thus ensuring a sustainable solution for infrastructure protection.
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SOURCED FROM THE JOBURG MUNICIPALITY WEBSITE.
