Panel members at Neighbourhood Watch new brand launch on 16 October 2019. Photo: Supplied.
Fritz launches new Neighbourhood Watch brand in Cape Winelands
Neighbourhood Watches became professional in 2013.
Panel members at Neighbourhood Watch new brand launch on 16 October 2019. Photo: Supplied.
The Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, launched a new Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) brand in Robertson. The launch occurred on Wednesday, 16 October 2019.
Who attended the Neighbourhood Watch brand launch
The event was attended by safety stakeholders, delegates, and the community. Stakeholders were given the opportunity to exhibit their products to the region.
A panel discussion was held on the importance of having NHWs. Professionalising volunteer work was also outlined as important.
NSRI case study outlines need to professionalise volunteering
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) was used as a case study for the outlining. The institute is a charity that uses “volunteers who are on call, day and night throughout the year.”
It has “rescue bases along the coast and on inland dams.” The institute’s aim “is to prevent drowning through education, through preventative measures; and through rescue.”
The history of Neighbourhood Watches
At the NHW event, there was also a handover of certificates and starter kits to accredited NHW structures. In 2013, NHWs started becoming professional through the Western Cape Community Safety Act (WCCSA).
According to the Western Cape Government:
“Section 6 of the Act, which deals with the Accreditation and Support of Neighbourhood Watches gives recognition to the efforts of Neighbourhood Watches; and acknowledges the value of their presence in communities.”
Western Cape Government
At the event, the minister gave some background information on the founding and evolution of NHWs saying:
“Over the past few years the NHW project has evolved rapidly. On 1 October 2016, the Act was promulgated, allowing the Department to formally begin accrediting NHWs in the Western Cape. In 2017, training for NHWs was reviewed and a new training manual was developed.”
Albert Fritz, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety
Fritz addresses the new brand
Fritz continued:
“In 2018, funding for Accredited NHWs was approved and implemented. This brings us to 2019 where we are launching the new NHW Brand. The new brand was previously launched at the River Club in Observatory on 28 March.”
Albert Fritz, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety
The minster added:
“The introduction of our new brand shows our commitment to changing the old positioning and stigmas of the NHW. The launch aims to create safer neighbourhoods and increase perceptions of safety in communities.”
Albert Fritz, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety
The Department of Community Safety promised to continue using every available tool to safeguard the province under Fritz’s leadership.
