S.A. Annex. Safety and Security

Context analysis

South Africa was originally a Dutch Colony which was overtaken by the British in 1806. Since 1961 it has been a republic. South Africa’s modern history has been marred by the policy of apartheid (instituted in 1948 by the National Party). Under apartheid the nation was racially segregated into whites, blacks, Asians and coloureds. Control of the government, land and economy was in the hands of the white minority elite. After a long and violent struggle with the African National Congress, the first fully democratic elections were held in 1994. Nowadays South Africa has 11 official languages. Although South Africa has overcome minority oppression, it faces many challenges as most of the economy is still in the hands of elite, rising xenophobia, emigration of educated whites, high unemployment and poverty rate and a high crime rate. The current president Jacob Zuma has faced corruption and fraud charges.

     We will be working for one of the few black farmers in South Africa. Our project concerns the design and construction of a medium scale biogas plant. By finding a use for the large amount of waste in the region and providing to South Africa’s rapidly increasing energy demand he aims to hit two birds with the same stone.

     We will be staying at a farm in Devon, Gauteng. Gauteng is the most diverse and populous region of the nation. Housing one of the capitals, Pretoria, and the largest city, Johannesburg. The name is devised from the Dutch word “Goud” and the Xhosa suffix “-eng”. This is symbolic for the prominence of the mining industry in the region.

     The farm is located at 1 hour driving from Johannesburg and fifteen minutes from the nearest township. The area is incredibly vast and empty. The climate is comparable to the Mediterranean and quite agreeable. Chance of malaria is very low, as the rainfall is low. In the image below the travel advice of South Africa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

The malaria risk map as released by the Department of Health. Map produced by the Health GIS Centre, Malaria Research Unit and South African Medical Research Council. Since there is no malaria risk in Devon, we will only take enough malaria pills with us for the safari trip in the National Kruger Park.

Risk analysis

Behaviour and measures

Personal behavior and measures

• Do not stand out as tourist and try to blend in with the local people.
• Don’t wear watches, jewelry, designer clothes, don’t have full wallets.
• As a women dress deservedly, wear clothes to cover shoulders, knees, etc.

• Do not try to be a hero when you are in a unexpected and possibly dangerous situation.

• Wear money on different spots on your body.
• Know where the hospitals are, how to reach the hospital, which doctors are acting and know the English names of diseases.
• Follow the local rules, but be alert.
• Drive at least as possible and when driving, drive carefully, don’t drink alcohol, don’t take too much package and do not take unknown passengers with you.
• Always travel with a cell phone. The emergency number to call for the Police is 10111. A functioning cell phone is essential to carry with you at ALL times with full battery and enough credit. Find out before leaving home if your phone will work in South Africa. If not, hire a cell phone when you arrive. Make sure that in case of switching to a local number that you change the number in Osiris and in Kompas.
• Avoid contact with animals.
• Do not swim in stagnant water.
• Do not drink unsafe water and eat only cooked meat/vegetables and salad washed with clean water.

Group rules of engagement

• Do not walk alone, always stick in teams of at least two people.
• Do what is best for the group, do not be selfish.
• Keep in contact with each other, to know where everyone is and where everyone is going.
• Know what everyone is up to.
• Be home before dark
• Watch out with using the Dutch language (they speak Afrikaans).

Contingency plan

CARE

• Calm dignified attitude
• Accept this is happening to you
• Release your valuables
• Eyes: look for things to identify later

Consider

• What can you do to make the situation safer?
• Is anybody missing or wounded?
• Should you involve the police?

After the incident

• Write up the details
• Help TU Delft to evaluate the incident
• Accept help

In case of crisis:

• Inform the insurance crisis center
• Inform your embassy

• Inform the TU Delft crisis control room; (crisis plan starts)’
• +31 15 278 1226

• Inform Eileen Focke-Bakker
• +31 6 388 29 149 (When kidnapped and asked for number call her)
• Inform other contacts (parents)
• Inform local contacts

Organization details

Accommodation and transport

We are staying at a farm in eastern Gauteng a 15-minutes drive from the nearest village, a 45-minutes drive to a bigger village. And a 1-hour drive to Johannesburg. If we are in Johannesburg we will stay in hostels or hotels. Mr. Mofokeng owns several guard dogs.

There is a car from the farmer for own use, but we will try to avoid driving when it’s not necessary. In Johannesburg we will use taxi’s (find a trustworthy taxi driver) or public transport.

When staying in Johannesburg we will keep our hotel room locked at all times and only open the door if you are certain who is on the other side. We will hide our personable valuable stuff on a safe spot and not in sight.

Since construction of the biogas plant will not be our job. Personal protective equipment and insurances regarding the construction will not be necessary.