OPEN LETTER: #MakeSAsafe
Monday 19 June 2017
Dear Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers, MEC’s, Mayors, MMC’s and corporate leaders,
CRIME IN SA AND FINDING URGENT SOLUTIONS
You are fully aware that crime is affecting all of us.
Criminals are running amok and the situation does not seem to be improving. In fact, indications are that it’s getting worse.
South Africans are living in fear.
Criminals show no respect for life and property. With an average murder rate of just under 50 people each day, it is safe say: “Crime is killing South Africa.”
While the Constitution of our country guarantees us safety and security, we know we cannot depend solely on government. We need to strengthen public/private partnerships and mobilize
civil society.
We cannot only point fingers. Yes, it is our right to criticize and condemn but we must also find solutions. We must all work together to #MakeSAsafe
I accepted the role of Namola’s Chief Ambassador in December. I know that this safety app is making a difference and has the potential to make an even bigger difference in the months and years ahead.
The City of Tshwane’s TMPD launched Namola over a year ago. It has grown and developed. But, there is lots of opportunity to make it more effective – and we need the TMPD to commit further.
The Gauteng Community Safety Department under the leadership of MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane launched Namola a few weeks ago. The partnership with Gauteng Traffic is already yielding results.
MEC Nkosi-Malobane said “we have to embrace technology and improve response times…That’s what Namola is doing.”
And last week, the Mayor of Stellenbosch Gesie Van Deventer announced a partnership with Namola.
The Mayor said: “Using technology such as this in our fight against crime is an essential step in the right direction to improve the safety and security of our residents and visitors. The recent murder of a student and the rape of young girl within our municipal area have again highlighted the need for innovative thinking from local government to find and implement workable solutions. Namola provides a unique approach to improving safety and security and allows for multiple stakeholders to work together, including the Municipality, the South African Police Service and private security.”
We presented Namola to the South African Police Service (SAPS) a few months ago. It is the ideal solution to the problems being experienced at 10111 Centers. The Police’s Civil Secretariat has an e-policy and we are meeting them soon.
Police Minister, Fikile Mbalula, is on record as saying that we must use technology in the fight against crime.
Namola has over 55 000 downloads. Gauteng has three control rooms and Stellenbosch is now live.
We guarantee a call-back within 90 seconds of the panic button being activated. And the nearest police and/or Metro/Traffic police vehicle will respond.
Namola will certainly contribute to #MakeSAsafe
I appeal to National, Provincial and Local Government to follow the lead taken by Tshwane, Gauteng and Stellenbosch and implement the safety app in their areas. Now is the time!
We’ve also had interest from Gauteng Disaster Management who want to use it for fire emergencies.
Happimo is the NPO that runs Namola.
It’s critical to invest time and money into the fight against crime.
Let’s cut the red-tape and get it going without delay.
We are getting requests from across South Africa.
In the informal settlement of Diepsloot north of Johannesburg we have a partnership with Memeza and when alarms are activated, the nearest police vehicle responds- thanks to Namola.
We hope to cover the entire South Africa by the end of this year- but we can only do with your support.
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille and Cape Town Mayor, Patricia de Lille, have already shown interest in Namola.
Companies are often scared to be associated with the fight against crime because they think it’s negative. It’s not! It’s contributing to #MakeSAsafe and you have to invest into technology.
Let’s not allow criminals to ruin our country. Invest time and money and support initiatives such as Namola.
I salute people like businessman, Alan Knott-Craig, Jr, the co-founder of Namola for having the vision. Several foreign countries are already showing interest in Namola.
My concluding appeal to both the public and the private sectors: Cut the bureaucratic delays and get things going. For as long as you delay, criminals will be the only ones benefiting.
With kind regards
Yusuf Abramjee
Chief Brand Ambassador: Namola, anti-crime activist and Social Cohesion Advocate
Twitter: @abramjee