AfriForum's Proto Team Training Empowers Community Watch Members

AfriForum, the South African civil-rights organization known for its community safety initiatives, has recently concluded its twelfth proto team training course, designed to empower neighbourhood watch groups with specialized security training. Over an intensive five-day period, 16 members from various towns including Bronkhorstspruit, Delmas, Germiston, Boksburg, Mbombela, and Vanderbijlpark braved the chilly Highveld winter, spending the duration in tents and subsisting on ration packs affectionately known as "rat packs."

This grueling experience was not just a test of endurance but also an opportunity for the neighbourhood watch members to enhance their skills in self-defence, tactical firearm handling, vehicle and building approaches in criminal scenarios, emergency bleeding control, understanding legal frameworks, and retreat under live fire scenarios. The course also put an emphasis on teamwork, the effective creation of vehicle checkpoints, the gathering of important safety information, and proficient radio communication practices.

Now with more than 200 specialized proto team members, AfriForum is strengthening its network of 177 neighbourhood and farm watch structures across South Africa. With approximately 11,000 volunteers already involved, the organization is at the forefront of local community safety, working diligently to establish secure environments for its member communities.

Echoing the sentiment of value and empowerment, a 32-year-old teacher, Liam Lewis, affiliated with the Bronkhorstspruit neighbourhood watch group, expressed his appreciation for the immersive experience. Lewis underscored the course's accentuation of team dynamics, now better prepared to use these critical skills in his teaching profession where he often contends with the vulnerability of schools to unrest.

Similarly, 43-year-old Lizel Viljoen from the Vanderbijlpark watch described the demanding nature of the training as deeply rewarding, emphasizing its broad appeal to all who wish to effectively safeguard their communities.

AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, Jacques Broodryk, pointed to the crucial nature of the training, affirming that it equips members with the competency to perform their duties safely and within legal boundaries for the greater good of their communities. In his concluding remarks at the training's end, Broodryk praised the neighbourhood watch members for their altruistic dedication to community safeguarding, highlighting the tangible impact they have on crime prevention and vowing to continue growing these vital safety structures.

With such initiatives, AfriForum remains committed to bolstering the resilience and efficacy of its neighbourhood watch members, ensuring they stand vigilant and prepared to protect and serve their fellow citizens.