The University’s Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) division and its partners, conducted another successful drill, this time with the Library Services and the Student Centre. Some months ago, the division conducted a successful drill at the new Engineering Building that houses the Department of Electrical Engineering. The building emptied within five minutes. The Library and the Student Centre buildings were emptied within the allotted 10 minutes, thanks to the cooperation between members of Protection Services, who Lizwi Masondo, the University’s Safety, Health and Safety (SHE) officer, profusely thanked, and the managers of the Library Services and the Student Centre.
Masondo informed staff and the students who were gathered between the two buildings that it was a legal requirement to have the drill at the University. He said they were dictated to by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, No. 85 of 1993. “Students and staff showed that they understand the need for the drill. An emergency can happen at any time. As a University, we have to be prepared for all kinds of dangerous situations.” Masondo said they would continue with the drill at other departments to ensure that everyone was prepared for any dangerous situation.
It was clear that Masondo was relieved when he called his colleagues from these departments to say a few words after addressing the amazed crowd of students and staff. Masondo then asked Siyabulela Mkwalo, the Deputy Director of Sport; Dr Buyi Makhanya, Deputy Director: Academic Literacy and Language Unit (ALLU), and the Library Services’ Bongi Nyide, to confirm if all their buildings were properly evacuated. All three said everyone was accounted for. The students and staff cooperated and showed understanding of the reasons to do the drill.