by Staff Reporter | Aug 18, 2014 | News
What to do in the event of a tremor/earthquake
Although earthquakes/tremors do not commonly occur in most parts of South Africa, it is still considered necessary to take note of the below guidelines regarding what to do if an earthquake, severe tremor (or tremor as recently happened) should occur:
IF INDOORS
- Stay calm and kneel or sit on the floor (before the tremors knock you down). This position protects you from falling and allows you to still move around if necessary.
- Crawl under a large sturdy object (such as a strong table or desk) to avoid being struck by falling debris from the roof/ceiling/walls/windows. Cover your head/neck with your arms/hands.
- Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.
- If there is nothing sturdy to crawl under then position yourself at an interior wall near the centre of the building. Interior walls are less likely to collapse than outer / exterior walls.
- Stay away from windows, mirrors, loose standing cupboards, shelves, light fixtures and ceiling fans (i.e. anything that could fall on you).
- Stay inside until the tremors and shaking stops and until it is considered safe to go outside.
- Use the stairs to evacuate from a building (not the elevator/lift) and only evacuate when it is considered safe to do so. Do not exit a building during the tremors/shaking.
- Be aware that the power may go out and sprinkler systems or fire alarms may be activated.
IF OUTDOORS
- Stay calm and move away from exterior walls of buildings to avoid being struck by falling debris from collapsing walls, windows and roof tiles/sheeting.
- Move away from power cables, trees and structures that may collapse and fall on you.
- Once in the open, stay there until the tremors/shaking stops while covering your head and neck with your arms and hands.
IF DRIVING
- Stay calm and stop the vehicle as quickly but as safely as possible.
- Do not stop next to buildings and large trees or under bridges and overhead power lines.
- If considered safe to do so, stay in the vehicle.
- Proceed cautiously after the earthquake has stopped avoiding damaged roads/bridges.
IF TRAPPED UNDER DEBRIS
- Stay calm and do not disturb unstable structures which may cause further collapse.
- Try not to inhale dust by covering your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
- If possible, shout or tap on a pipe, wall or any other object so rescuers can locate you.
Jonathan De Villiers
DIRECTOR: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
by Staff Reporter | Aug 16, 2014 | Featured 1
This article was written by former Wits Vuvuzela and now EWN journalist Gia Nicolaides, two weeks after the Marikana Massacre on August 16, 2012. It first appeared on this site on August 30, 2012.
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Story and photos by Gia Nicolaides
It has been exactly two weeks since 34 miners were killed in a bloody shootout with the police at Lonmin’s Marikana mine on August 16. Gia Nicolaides, a journalist with EWN and a former Wits Vuvuzela student, gives us a personal account of her experiences in covering the Marikana story.
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When I arrived in the dry and dusty township on the 13th of August 2012, nine people including two police officers had been killed. The policemen had been hacked to death.
It was a group of journalists who found the tenth victim – a miner who was beaten and left for dead in the open veld, near the hill where the protesters had been gathering on a daily basis.
The mineworkers were militant and warned female journalists in particular to stay away, saying it was men’s territory. They threatened to do “unspeakable things” to any woman who went into the area, where they were getting traditional medicine from a sangoma. They were preparing for war and armed themselves by taking ‘muti’, which they believed would make them bullet proof.
Female journalists were warned to stay far away from the miners. Pic: Gia Nicolaides
For several days police tried to negotiate a truce with the group, pleading with them to hand over their weapons.
Journalists knew police had been given instructions to force the crowd to disperse, but we had no idea the events that would unfold, would lead to such bloodshed and make international headlines.
Police warned us to move back saying they were unsure how the protesters would react. I watched as three water cannons moved forward and started spraying water at the protestors. Despite this, the miners charged the police with spears and pangas.
The next minute teargas and stun grenades were fired by the police and the almost unending sound of gunshots rang out. I felt as though I was in the middle of an action movie.
I was torn between recording the events as they unfolded for our news bulletins, bearing witness to the incident, and getting myself away from danger.
If the protestors continued charging towards the police and got through the SAPS barricade, I strongly believe that I and several other journalists would have been killed.
There were two lines of police – the first armed with rubber bullets and the second with live ammunition. Some of officers jumped into the armoured vehicles when they felt threatened and new footage shows that’s when some of the protestors opened fire with pistols.
The Lonmin mine at Marikana. Pic: Gia Nicolaides
Police have been blamed for using maximum force, while they say they were left with no other choice.
The protesters remain defiant two weeks after the tragedy, saying they will not return to work until their pay has been raised to R12,500 per month.
While negotiations between mine bosses and workers continue; operations at the mine remain at a standstill, with Lonmin losing millions of rands per day.
The workers maintain they represent themselves; I believe the unions are to blame for not helping them to resolve this issue from the beginning. Union rivalry is apparent in the mining industry, but that’s no excuse for allowing workers to take matters into their own hands.
The miners assemble on the hill on front of the police. Pic: Gia Nicolaides
44 people lost their lives in what I believe was unnecessary violence to start with.
There are two sides to this story – the one of a poor worker earning a minimum wage and fighting for his right for better living and working conditions and the story of the police officers, who were put in a difficult situation while trying to maintain law and order.
The police presence opposite the miners before the shootings on August 16. Pic: Gia Nicolaides
Regardless of who is to blame, this incident has once again cast South Africa in a negative light, with comparisons being made to the violence during Apartheid.
Arguably, this is regarded as the country’s bloodiest shootout in recent history, highlighting the polarisation between employers and their workers.
by Staff Reporter | Aug 16, 2014 | News
by Nontobeko Zuma
On the second anniverary of the Marikana tragedy, South African journalist, Mayleen Vincent recounts her experiences as a television field producer at the scene of the 2012 ‘Marikana Massacre’, where police shot and killed 34 striking mineworkers.
Armed mineworkers at the Lonmin platinum mine had embarked on a wildcat strike demanding higher wages since the 10th of August.
Ten other killings including those of mine security, police officers and striking miners preceded the August, 16 bloodshed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr1qyiPGbYw
by Staff Reporter | Aug 7, 2014 | Opinion
Is negligent farming common in South Africa? How dangerous is poor farming practice for humans and animals? Is science and technology being used ethically to improve animal health and productivity? Find out in Episode 22 of The Science Inside.
The Science Inside, the show that goes inside the science of major news events, is produced by Paul McNally, Anina Mumm, DJ Keyez and Lutfiyah Suliman for The Wits Radio Academy. Tune in live to VowFM every Monday at 6pm.
by Staff Reporter | Jul 27, 2014 | News
The Wits Justice Project will host a symposium in light of the signing into law of the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Bill, last year.
Training, sensitization and human rights education on the definitions and penalties associated with torture is crucial at this stage of South Africa’s history.
The objective is to facilitate high-level discussions and reflections on:
a) The first year of the “torture bill”: different perspectives from the authorities, civil society and experts. To include topics on:
- achievements of the first year
- the dissemination and training that is needed, for all actors and officials in the criminal justice system
- awareness raising for the public
- needed policy environment
b) The necessary next steps needed for the ratification of the optional protocol of the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) and implementation of a national preventative mechanism.
When: 28 and 29 August 2014
Venue: Chalsty Centre, Braamfontein Campus West
RSVP by July 1, 2014 to Nooshin Erfani-Ghadimi of the Wits Justice Project on nooshin.erfani-ghadimi@wits.ac.za.
by Staff Reporter | Jul 27, 2014 | News
In recognition of the role digital technology is destined to play in “Africa’s Century”, Wits University has announced that it will host its inaugural Fak’ugesi: Digital Africa Festival 2014, running from 11 August to mid-September 2014.
The festival will be centered on the JCSE’s new Tshimologong Precinct and will make use of other venues on Wits East and West Braamfontein campuses, the Maboneng Precinct and 44 Stanley.
For more information and specific dates, visit our online calendar.
HEADLINE EVENTS CONFIRMED:
Agile Africa 2014: A major conference on software development methods, following up on the very successful inaugural event held in Braamfontein in August 2013.
A MAZE/Johannesburg 2014: An Indie-Games and Digital Arts Festival, attracting games developers and digital artists from Europe and Africa. This festival has been run annually since 2012 in Braamfontein in partnership with the organisers of Berlin’s A MAZE Festival.
CASCADE: CASCADE is a collaborative multi-disciplinary project that champions digital content development through a series of workshops and activities. The event is led by “Onedotzero” – an experiential arts organisation with over 16 years’ experience in curating and producing cultural events and content for brands and agencies. CASCADE will be supported by the British Council.
Process Improvement Africa: This is a one-day conference focusing on the role that process and process improvement plays in helping ICT organisations deliver high quality products and services in a predictable and repeatable manner. The conference will showcase models and methods such as CMMI, ITIL, TSP and AGILE.
Maker Event: 3-D Printing, laser cutters and other rapid prototyping tools are revolutionizing hardware innovation. “Maker Spaces” give innovators the freedom to explore solutions in the hardware world as easily as software developers do in the world of bits and bytes. The Maker Event will provide an opportunity for “Makers” to collaborate, learn and teach.
Unyazi Festival of Electronic Music: The only African festival dedicated to the latest developments in electronic and electro-acoustic music. Launched at Wits in 2005, the 2014 Festival, in partnership with NewMusicSA, will feature innovative and exploratory music from African and the rest of the world.
by Staff Reporter | Jul 22, 2014 | Opinion
It’s no secret that Jacob Zuma is a traditional man. With rumours that his health is failing, we wondered whether our president would turn to Western medicine or traditional African medicine should he become seriously ill. We spoke to a traditional healer, a medical doctor and a researcher.
The Science Inside, the show that goes inside the science of major news events, is produced by Paul McNally, Anina Mumm, DJ Keyez and Lutfiyah Suliman for The Wits Radio Academy.
Tune in live to VowFM every Monday at 6pm.
If the full podcast does not load automatically, please click here.
by Staff Reporter | Jul 21, 2014 | News
The Counselling and Careers Development Unit with the Dean of Student Affairs’ Office, the Division of Student Affairs, the Wits Transformation Office, Students’ Representative Council, the Student Development and Leadership Union; and Drama for Life in the Wits School of Arts are hosting the second annual Silent Protest March on Friday, August 15.
The march condemns sexual violence of any nature and is an act of solidarity with survivors of rape. It encourages the reporting of such acts along with other institutions of higher learning to join the Silent Protest.
The protest will start at 8am and will end with speakers and a debriefing from 2.30pm.
For more information and to download the day’s programme, click here.
by Staff Reporter | Jul 16, 2014 | News
The Wits Debating team has won the SADC championship title for the fourth time. Photo: Wits Communications.
by Buhle Zuma.
The Wits Debating Union (WDU) has reasserted their prowess over university teams from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) by being crowned the champions of the 2014 Southern African Universities Debate Championships.
The championships, known as “nationals”, were hosted by the University of Botswana from 5 to 13 July 2014 and drew more than 400 debaters from 30 universities from the SADC countries.
It was sweet glory for the WDU who not only claimed the championship title but walked away with several awards.
Wits debaters were awarded the seven of the top 10 speaker awards; and Wits as an institution was recognised as the best adjudication/judging institution. Furthermore, a Wits speaker won the public speaking championship category.
Wits for the first time had black debaters in the EFL league
WDU Chairperson Noluthando Yeni, who led the team and kept them motivated, added that the 2014 championships will go down in history as the breakthrough year for female debaters and black debaters.
“For the first time this year, females rose to the finals of the championships, one of which is a Witsie. This achievement was considered one of the most transformational moments in debating history and we are so proud of Wits talent that contributed to this,” Yeni.
Whilst Wits debaters have previously won the English First Language (EFL) title with a few black debaters taking part in this category, there has never been a black champion in the first language and this changed this year.
“Wits for the first time had black debaters in the EFL league who progressed to the final and ultimately won the title,” said Yeni.
“We trained hard this year to break the glass ceiling and we did,” said Yeni with an air of triumph.
The months of hard work paid off as the WDU knocked out their arch rival in debating, the University of Cape Town (UCT).
“UCT is our biggest competitor but two Wits teams managed to defeat them in the knockout phases.”
Having conquered the ‘nationals’, Yeni said the WDU will use the remaining months to train hard to defend their title as the best in Africa at the Pan African Tournament to be hosted by the University of Limpopo in December 2014 as well as improve on their World Rankings at the World Championships and Pre-World Championships.
The WDU lost the championship title in 2013 to UCT. They won the title for three consecutive years in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
The Wits Dean of Students, Dr Pamela Dube, has congratulated the WDU for their successes at the tournament.
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This article originally appeared on Wits News.
by Staff Reporter | Jul 16, 2014 | Opinion
How do you lose a plane? And how do you find it once it’s lost? In this episode, a pilot, an air traffic controller, a satellite tracking expert and a researcher working on underwater sensing technologies helps us piece together the mystery of the missing Malaysian flight MH370.
The Science Inside, the show that goes inside the science of major news events, is produced by Paul McNally, Anina Mumm, DJ Keyez and Lutfiyah Suliman for The Wits Radio Academy.
Tune in live to VowFM every Monday at 6pm.
If the full podcast does not load automatically, please click here.
by Staff Reporter | Jul 14, 2014 | Featured 1
For Mandela Day this year, Wits has adopted the theme “Charity begins at home”, with the aim of assisting the growing number of students who face challenges of hunger and poverty.
Food insecurity has became a significant issue for many students on campus, according to student liason support officer at the Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach (WCCO) centre, Karuna Singth.
Collection bins have been placed around campus, allowing staff and students to deposit non-perishable food and toiletries as part of the Mandela Day collection.
Collection points
Donations can be dropped off at the following points on Wednesday, July 18:
East Campus – Library Lawns between 1pm and 2pm
West Campus – CCDU office – during working hours
Wits Business School – Chantel Evans-Smit’s office – during working hours
School of Education – Julie Donnelly’s office /Staff lounge – during working hours
Faculty of Health Sciences –1ST Floor Lobby, Phillip Tobias building – during working hours
Wits School of Public Health – Education Campus in the Courtyard – during working hours
For enquiries, contact Karuna Singth on Karuna.Singh@wits.ac.za
by Staff Reporter | Jul 14, 2014 | News
The Wits School of Governance and the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation announced that the first OR Tambo Debate Series will be hosted next Thursday, July 24.
Launched last week, the series will consist of 10 public debates, over a period of 15 months, and will focus on the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP).
The inaugural debate will feature representatives of government, labour, civil society and acamedia, who will highlight the possibilities and limitations of the NDP. Moderated by veteran journalist Siki Mgabadeli, it will feature Minister Jeff Radebe, vice chancellor Adam Habib, COSATU’s Neil Coleman and chairman of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Nku Nyemzebi-Heita.
The series also honours the life and work of Oliver Tambo, former president of the ANC.
Date: 24 July 2014
Time: 18:00-20:30
Venue: Donald Gordon Auditorium, 2 St David’s Place, Parktown
Contact Bongiwe.msweli@wits.ac.za to reserve a seat. This will not, however, guarantee a seat. Seating will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
