Page 37 - Transformation Report

4. Safe, Stable, Responsive and Secure Environment that is Conducive to Learning, Growth
and Success

Safety and security have assumed greater priority in the to improve the University’s ability to deter, detect, and probe
higher education sector. Therefore, the national security crime within its precincts. The Missionvale Campus safety
cluster of government is working with universities on matters and security plan was implemented to benefit staff, students,
of on-campus safety, especially as it relates to gender-based and those who live in the surrounding community.
violence. Various projects are underway to enhance safety on
our campuses. In 2020, the implementation of the approved safety and
security strategy was well underway. The underpinning
The implementation of the University safety and security premise of the safety and security strategy is that there is
strategy is multi-faceted within the context of reintegration a reliance on digital infrastructure and collaboration with
of previously outsourced services. Therefore, a sustainable internal and external stakeholders to strengthen safety
model that entails equipping and training security and security measures. Protection Services personnel have
personnel while investing in technologies was adopted. A been trained in the use of the new security technologies,
comprehensive assessment of the University’s safety and surveillance, and intelligence gathering tools being deployed
security landscape was undertaken, and this forms a basis across the University. For key events and during periods
for implementation plans. The University has expanded its requiring heightened security, capacity was augmented with
surveillance cameras coverage and revamped its control specialised external placements. The University continues
rooms across all campuses with the latest technologies, to be an active member of community policing forums
making response proactive and immediate. The technology in the Nelson Mandela Bay area and engages in monthly
stack selected included systems that integrate with the access meetings with security providers within the Metro and the
control environment. Online intelligence system provides Summerstrand Community Crime Forum, working together
needed analytics to strengthen the University security towards creating a safer suburb for all, including staff and
system. The Video Events Management System (VEMS) will students. Similarly, the University is engaged as part of the
be the last module to be added to the technology stack. Special Rates Area for Central, an area that is also home to a
large contingent of our student body.
Other examples include interventions at the Missionvale
campus, where the existing porous perimeter fencing is Provision was made to train online first responders (including
being upgraded with the installation of two additional security personnel) to deal with trauma. The content was
fences, creating a new gravel path around the perimeter changed from face-to-face training (2018-2019) to online
to allow security patrols, and erecting new security lighting access in 2020. The content is available in English, Afrikaans,
masts with surveillance and motion sensor cameras. and isiXhosa, and is accessible to all employees and students
as a self-enrollment course (https://learn.mandela.ac.za/
In 2019, considerable investment was made in surveillance, login/index.php). Various academic departments have
access control, intruder alarms, and other digital technologies shown interest in this course to augment their curricula.

5. Sport Transformation

The sport transformation plan was developed and finalised blended learning initiatives, digital access and monitoring of
and is being implemented. The plan addresses issues such academic progress, and the provision of necessary support to
as recruitment of athletes, team participation, and equitable enable athletes to progress in their academic studies.
sport development. Part of this is the equity of academic
support for athletes to ensure that their chances to succeed Our sporting codes continue to extend their national
are affirmed. An “athletes for success” programme was footprint, with 12 out of 21 sport codes ranking in the Top 8
implemented to ensure that our athletes lead a balanced life in the country in 2019. In 2020, sporting activities were halted
and that their participation in sport does not negatively affect due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
their academic commitments. The programme includes

37 TRANSFORMATION REPORT